MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION INFORMATION AND PRESS DEPARTMENT _______________________________ 32/34 Smolenskaya-Sennaya pl., 119200, Moscow G-200; tel.: (499) 244 4119, fax: (499) 244 4112 e-mail: dip@mid.ru, web-address: www.mid.ru |
On November 12 the Palestinian Legislative Council approved a new government of the Palestinian National Authority led by Ahmed Qurei (Abu Ala).
The new cabinet is taking office at a very difficult and crucial period both for the Palestinian people and for the region as a whole. Palestinian-Israeli relations are going through an immensely grave crisis; the military confrontation fails to be extinguished and every day is being marked by new casualties.
Russia trusts that the approval of the new cabinet led by such an authoritative and respected figure as Qurei gives a real chance to end violence and terror, to continue reforms in the PNA structures on a democratic basis and to resume the negotiating process under the Road Map for Middle East settlement.
For successful solution of these extensive tasks, the Palestinian government needs constructive assistance on the part of Israel. We presume that the Israeli leadership will resume the political dialogue with the PNA authorities, will continue to take the measures it has begun recently to ease the blockade of the Palestinian territories and also will refrain from unilateral steps that may create obstacles for advancement towards peace.
Russia as a UN Security Council permanent member and a member of the Quartet of International Mediators will continue its efforts in the interests of the early resumption of movement towards peace in the Middle East.