30 Jan 2019 17:56

Russian Foreign Ministry reps discuss Syrian political process with Netanyahu, Abbas

MOSCOW. Jan 30 (Interfax) - Alexander Lavrentyev, the Russian special presidential representative for the Syrian settlement, and Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Vershinin visited Israel and Palestine on January 29-30, the Foreign Ministry said on its website on Wednesday.

"They met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and held extensive consultations with National Security Council head Meir Ben-Shabbat, Minister for Jerusalem Affairs Ze'ev Elkin, Mossad Director Yossi Cohen, and Foreign Ministry Director General Yuval Rotem," the ministry said.

The discussion focused on the development of the situation in the region and in Syria and "the prompt advancement of the political settlement in Syria on the basis of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2254 and respect for the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity," it said.

"Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas also received the Russian representatives in Ramallah. The parties had a comprehensive exchange of views on ensuring the long-term negotiating resolution of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict in accordance with the well-known decisions of the United Nations, the Arab Peace Initiative, and bilateral agreements. Issues related to the restoration of Palestinian unity were also discussed," the ministry said.