Israeli Foreign Minister to arrive in Moscow today

Israel's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom is to begin his Russian visit June 9.

The forthcoming talks with the Israeli Foreign Minister are an important part of Russia's efforts to normalize the Mideastern situation, Alexander Yakovenko, who serves as the Russian Foreign Ministry's spokesman, told RIA-NOVOSTI the other day.

The Russian Foreign Ministry is to attach priority to solving the Palestinian problem during the talks; the Iraqi situation won't be overlooked either.

Officials at the Russian Foreign Ministry perceive the forthcoming talks and contacts as yet another evidence of the fact that Russian-Israeli relations have acquired a dynamic essence, also becoming filled with real content.

Talking to Russian correspondents, Silvan Shalom noted that he intended to meet his Russian counterpart Igor Ivanov, as well as top Russian Parliament officials.

Talking to RIA-NOVOSTI, Israeli Foreign Ministry officials noted that this was Silvan Shalom's first Russian visit. The Israeli Foreign Minister would like to get to know Russia, as well as its world-famous culture, better during his visit. Silvan Shalom considers Russia to be a great country.