Russian Deputy FM Bogdanov, U.S. presidential aide discuss prospects of Palestinian-Israeli settlement
MOSCOW. May 19 (Interfax) - Russian Special Representative for the Middle East and Africa and Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov has had a phone conversation with Assistant to the United States President and Special Representative for International Negotiations Avi Berkowitz, the Russian Foreign Ministry said.
"During the conversation, the parties thoroughly discussed pressing issues on the Middle East agenda with an emphasis put on the prospects of Palestinian-Israeli settlement," the statement said.
The phone conversation took place at the U.S.' initiative on Tuesday, the ministry said.
Bogdanov had a phone conversation with Secretary of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and member of the Fatah Central Committee Saeb Erekat at Palestine's initiative on Tuesday, as well.
"During the conversation, the parties discussed the problems of the settlement of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict on an internationally recognized legal basis with the assistance of the Quartet of international mediators. The Russian side again stressed the importance of the soonest restoration of Palestinian national unity based on the political platform of the Palestine Liberation Organization," the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.