Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Tuesday supported a Palestinian proposal for a Middle East peace conference, saying that it could be held at the ministerial level in Moscow in the spring or summer of this year.
Speaking at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Open Debate on the Situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian Question, Lavrov said that Russia considers resuming the peace process as extremely important, given that the Palestinian issue “continues to have a major influence on the overall situation in the Middle East and North Africa”. To this end, the foreign minister said that Moscow continues to back Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’ idea to convene an international summit on the Middle East settlement (MES) this year, adding it would be willing to host such a gathering as well.
Participants would include Israel, the Palestinians, the four members of the so-called Middle East diplomatic quartet, which is comprised of Russia, the United Nations (UN), the United States (US) and the European Union (EU), along with four Arab states—Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Lavrov said. “It is important to invite Saudi Arabia as the drafter of the Arab Peace Initiative. Such a meeting could become a working platform for a comprehensive analysis of the situation and help the parties start a dialogue,” he added.
While China voiced its support for Russia’s idea at the UN meeting, most other participating nations did not offer an opinion on the proposal.
Shortly after Lavrov’s remarks, the US’ Acting Ambassador to the UN Richard Mills addressed the Council, for the first time, under President Biden. Mills announced that the new administration would restore aid to Palestinians and re-establish its diplomatic mission with the Palestinian Authority (PA) and noted that move is not meant to serve as a “favour” to the Palestinian leadership, but one that will benefit the peace process overall. “US assistance benefits millions of ordinary Palestinians and helps to preserve a stable environment that benefits both Palestinians and Israelis,” he said.
Mills further stated that despite the continuation of aid, the US will maintain “its steadfast support for Israel” and that it will continue to support the “mutually agreed upon two-state solution, one in which Israel lives in peace and security alongside a viable Palestinian state.” He added that despite its challenges, it was the “best way to ensure Israel’s future as a democratic and Jewish state while upholding the Palestinian people’s legitimate aspirations for a state of their own and to live with dignity and security,” and urged both sides to refrain from taking any unilateral measures that could complicate the process further.
Though Biden is expected to be more measured in his approach towards Israel than his predecessor, his administration is still committed to the country’s security. Last week, US national security adviser Jake Sullivan vowed to Israel that Washington will “closely consult with Israel on all matters of regional security”.
Russia Proposes Middle East Peace Conference in Moscow
The foreign minister said that it could be held at the ministerial level in Moscow in the spring or summer of this year.
January 28, 2021
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov SOURCE: TWITTER (@mfa_russia)