The Palestinian problem remains acute, despite the normalization of relations between Israel and a number of Arab States, a statement issued on Thursday by the Russian Foreign Ministry reads.
"Taking note of the ongoing progress in the process of normalization of relations between Israel and a number of Arab countries, we note that the Palestinian problem remains acute. It would be a mistake to think that without its settlement, it will be possible to achieve reliable stabilization of the Middle East region," the Russian Foreign Ministry said.
The Russian Foreign Ministry also called on the international community to step up coordinated efforts in this area.
"In this regard, we call on regional and international partners to step up coordinated efforts in this important area. Russia is ready for such joint work, including within the framework of the Quartet-a mechanism recognized by the UN Security Council to support negotiations on the Middle East settlement - and in close cooperation with the Arab League," the comment of the MFA reads.
Fair and sustainable solution
The Foreign Ministry also noted that the Russian Federation "in its efforts to stabilize the Middle East as a permanent member of the UN Security Council and a member of the Quartet of international mediators has always been guided by the importance of achieving a comprehensive Middle East settlement." "But with the understanding that its integral component should be a just and sustainable solution to the Palestinian problem in accordance with the international legal framework approved by the UN, including Security Council resolutions, the Arab peace initiative and the fundamental principle of "two states"-Israel and Palestine, peacefully coexisting within internationally recognized borders," the Ministry stressed.
"We proceed from the fact that, as the leadership of Bahrain and the UAE States, these states remain fully committed to resolving the Palestinian problem on the above-mentioned international legal basis, as well as in accordance with the Arab peace initiative, which was approved by the heads of Arab States in 2002," the Russian Foreign Ministry said.
They also stressed the need to focus now on resuming direct negotiations between the Israelis and the Palestinians without preconditions, "since, as historical experience shows, the parties only reached sustainable solutions to conflict situations when they acted on a mutually acceptable negotiating basis."
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Foreign Ministers of the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed al Nahyan and Abdullatif al Zayani signed agreements on the normalization of relations in Washington on Tuesday.
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Photo: MFA