Russian Foreign Minister speaks of session of four international mediators for Middle East in New York

The session of the four international mediators for the Middle East settlement at the level of Foreign Ministers, which will open on Tuesday in New York, is one more attempt of the international community to render assistance in the searches for a way out of the crisis. Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov told reporters about it on Tuesday on his arrival in New York.

The Russian minister pointed out that the situation on the Palestinian territories was very complicated both from the point of view of security and humanitarian problems. "Concrete, rapid and urgent steps should be taken," he said.

Igor Ivanov believes that it is necessary to prepare proposals for a stage-by-stage withdrawal of the sides from the crisis. "This is not a simple task," admitted the minister, "but we shall actively contribute to the search for its fulfilment." The Russian Foreign Minister noted that for the first time in the history of the sessions of the "quartet" on the Middle East, the second stage of this session will be attended by Foreign Ministers of Egypt and Jordan and then, possibly, of Saudi Arabia.

Igor Ivanov said that the Group of Four is interested in close cooperation both with the conflicting sides and with other influential states in the region. The settlement of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict is part of an all-embracing settlement in the Middle East as a whole, underscored the Russian Foreign Minister.