Section of consular dept of Russian embassy in Israel expected to open in West Jerusalem - Russian diplomatic mission

MOSCOW. June 16 (Interfax) - Russia intends to open a section of the consular department of the Russian embassy in Israel in West Jerusalem, which Moscow recognizes as the capital of the Jewish state.

On May 18, Russia and the Israeli municipality, with assistance from the Russian embassy and the Israeli Foreign Ministry, signed an amicable agreement and a protocol to it specifying the borders and area of the Russian land plot in West Jerusalem, which was acquired by the Russian side back in 1885, the Russian diplomatic mission said in a report released on Friday.

"We are working on the assumption that the said land property will be used, in particular, for the construction of a complex of buildings and infrastructure elements used for the needs of the section of the consular department of the Russian embassy in Israel," the press release said.

"This step fully serves to further strengthen friendly multifaceted relations between Russia and Israel, and is also in line with the unchanging course of our country towards a fair Middle Eastern settlement," the Russian embassy said.

Confirming Russia's position in favor of a two-state solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, the Russian Foreign Ministry on April 6, 2017 announced that it recognized West Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and East Jerusalem as the capital of the future Palestinian state.

The United States announced that it recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and moved its embassy there from Tel Aviv several years ago, when Donald Trump was president. Some other countries followed suit.

The Russian side said the Russian embassy could be moved from Tel Aviv to West Jerusalem only after all problems relating to the final status of the Palestinian territories were settled.