Russia calls on its partners in the Middle East Quartet (Russia, US, UN and EU) to respond positively to the initiative of convening a ministerial meeting in this format, First Deputy Permanent Representative of Russia to the UN Dmitry Polyansky said on Tuesday, speaking at a meeting of the Security Council of the world organization.
"We intend to continue working to intensify the activities of the Quartet and call on our colleagues in the Quartet to respond positively to our well-known initiatives, including the ministerial meeting as well as consultations in an expanded format with the participation of regional states," Polyansky said. - "At the same time, we are counting on the support of the international community for these initiatives".
He noted that Russia continues to interact with all parties and interested international and regional players.
"On November 23, Russian President Vladimir Putin and President [of the State of Palestine] Mahmoud Abbas met in Sochi, where they confirmed our principled position on the Middle East settlement in favor of a two-state solution within the approved international parameters," the diplomat pointed out. - "The Palestinian side also confirmed its readiness for dialogue on a universally recognized basis".
The First Deputy of the Russian Permanent Representative noted that against this background "illegal unilateral actions, fraught with dangerous consequences, go on: confiscation and demolition of Palestinian property, construction of settlements, arbitrary arrests and detentions, violation of the status of holy places".
"The announcement of Israeli plans to expand settlement activity in the West Bank and East Jerusalem in the Givat Hamatos area was deeply disturbing," he said. - "The continuation of settlement building and the intention to double by 2026 the number of Israelis living in the Jordan Valley may be regarded as de-facto annexation of a large part of the occupied Palestinian territory".
According to the diplomat, Russia attaches great importance to "providing comprehensive humanitarian assistance to those in need in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, as well as to Palestinian refugees in neighboring Arab countries".
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Zuma \ TASS
Based on materials from TASS