Lavrov calls for steps to improve situation with Mideast settlement

Russia calls on all the sides concerned to take steps to correct the situation with the Middle East settlement, TASS news agency quoted Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov as saying at the start of his talks with Riyad al Maliki, the foreign minister of Palestine.

"Regretfully, the situation has not improved since the time of your previous visit," Lavrov said. 

"We are convinced that all the parties concerned should exert necessary efforts to correct the situation. We are committed to a two-state solution in compliance with UN Security Council resolutions and the agreements concluded by the sides," the Russian foreign minister said.

"We actively work in the international ‘quartet’ of Middle East brokers and in other formats. We hope to exchange views on how to build our work in future," Lavrov said, adding that growing extremism and a mounting terrorist threat had to be taken into account when searching for solutions to problems.

"We will use this opportunity to hear your assessment of the situation in Syria and other parts [of the Middle East] region. I hope to discuss the state of bilateral relations, which are on the rise today," Lavrov said. 

Source : MENA