MOSCOW, January 26. /TASS/. Every effort should be exerted to prevent inter-ethnic hostility in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Monday after talks with his Israeli counterpart Avigdor Lieberman.
“We are convinced that everything should be done to prevent the conflict from sliding into inter-ethnic hostility, which would play into the hands of the forces seeking to destabilize the region,” he said.
“The efforts towards a comprehensive, fair and stable Arab-Israeli settlement should be continued,” Lavrov said.
Cooperation between Russia and Israel in the Middle East settlement has special significance, the foreign minister said.
“We’re glad to continue the political dialogue. Our relations have deep historical roots,” Lavrov said. “We seek to develop relations for the benefit of our countries and our citizens,” he added.
No alternative to fight against terrorism
Russia and Israel confirmed their position that fight against terrorism has no alternative according to international law in the Middle East, Lavrov said on Monday.
“We pay special attention to the situation in the Middle East and North Africa, first of all, in the context of a growing threat posed by extremism and terrorism,” the minister noted.
“We confirmed a joint position that the struggle against this global evil on the basis of international law has no alternative. This is important that the United Nations played the central role here, meanwhile, it (the global organization) did so without double standards,” Lavrov noted.
Cooperation with EEU
Israel is interested in establishing a free trade zone with the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) of Russia, Kazakhstan, Belarus and Armenia, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Monday.
“Dozens of countries suggested concluding agreements to establish a free trade zone with the Eurasian Economic Union,” Lavrov said after a meeting with his Israeli counterpart Avigdor Lieberman. “Israel has also expressed such interest.”