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Putin, Sharon Discuss Middle East Situation, Bilateral Ties
Russian President Vladimir Putin and visiting Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon discussed ways to overcome the current escalating conflict between Israel and Palestine, as well as prospects for economic cooperation between Russia and Israel.
Putin said on Tuesday in the Kremlin that Russia is ready to take an active part in the Middle East settlement, as Israelis and Palestinians expect. He expressed serious concern over the " extremely complicated" situation in the Middle East, according to Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov.
Russia, said Ivanov, is in favor of establishing a solid and long-lasting peace in the Middle East, "but unfortunately peace in that region was recently blasted."
The easing-up of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict should rest upon the substance of the Madrid agreements in line with the U.N. Security Council resolutions and the Mitchell plan, he said.
Ivanov noted that at present, "there is no need to put forward new initiatives" since the Mitchell proposals have been approved by both Israeli and Palestinian sides.
All sides concerned have endorsed the Mitchell plan and "it is on everyone's tables and it should be fulfilled," Ivanov quoted Putin as saying.
At the talks, Putin emphasized that the main task today is to work together to stop the escalation of violence in the region, to establish an atmosphere of mutual confidence and then launch the negotiating process in the Middle East.
The president added that all the forces in the region that are bound to hinder the peace process should be neutralized through joint efforts.
Sharon, who arrived here on Monday night for a three-day visit, his first trip to Russia as prime minister, also discussed with Putin the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, said Ivanov.
Sharon stressed the need to prevent deliveries of such weapons to some countries, a veiled reference to Israel's arch enemies Iran and Iraq.
But Ivanov said that Russia, while strictly adhering to the non- proliferation regime, will continue developing relations with the two countries without infringing on appropriate international agreements.
Sharon expressed Israel's willingness to boost economic cooperation with Russia, saying bilateral economic ties are not sufficient.
"I'm deeply convinced their strengthening is a must," he said, adding that the Israeli business people who came with him on his Russia tour would pursue this goal.
He also called for expanding exchanges between the two countries in high technology, cultural, industrial and agricultural fields.
Sharon is expected to meet Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov later.
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