Abbas wants to discuss with Putin Trump's Middle East 'deal'
BETHLEHEM. Jan 23 (Interfax) - Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas has expressed his intention to discuss the Middle East "deal of the century" of United States President Donald Trump and Israel's annexation of the Palestinian lands at a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday.
"We certainly need to discuss a number of issues. I am talking primarily about Israel's statement regarding annexation of the Palestinian lands, potential declaration of a second part of Trump's 'deal of the century' (as we know, the Americans have already publicized the first part), and also the issue of holding parliamentary and presidential elections in the State of Palestine," Abbas said at the beginning of the meeting.
Abbas thanked Russia for its continuous support for the Palestinian authorities, noting that Moscow never missed an opportunity to draw international attention to Palestine's problems.
"I want to greet you dear Mr. Putin, president of Russia, my personal friend, a friend of all Palestinian people, who never misses an opportunity to draw international attention to the Palestinian issue and provides us with all kinds of comprehensive support. We have become greatly accustomed to this," Abbas said.
The Palestinian authorities attach great important to regular exchanges of top-level visits for keeping up to date and exchanging views on all current issues, he said.
"I also want to express my gratitude for your support, I mean the political, economic, cultural, financial, and security support for the Palestinians," Abbas said.
"One cannot but thank you for the support and work you are doing within our immediate surroundings, I mean the Arab world. We see this as proof that the affairs of the Arab world matter to Russia, Russia is always present in the Arab world and working to resolve its problems," he said.
Abbas additionally said he hoped to be able to congratulate Putin in person on the 75th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany in Moscow this May.