Russia acclaims Israel-Palestine talks

Moscow, Dec 24 (UNI) Russia today hailed the results of talks between Israel and Palestine, saying they will have beneficial effect on the situation in the West Asia.

''We believe that the positive outcome of these negotiations will have a beneficial effect on the situation in the Weat Asia.

Russia will continue to energetically contribute to this process,'' the official spokesman for Russian Foreign Ministry Mikhail Kamynin said in a statement.

Mr Kamynin urged all political forces in Palestinian territories and Israel, and also all regional parties concerned to support the results of Israeli-Palestinian talks.

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas said at their talks in Jerusalem yesterday that they were committed to the peaceful settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict on the basis of the Road Map plan and spoke for the continuation of regular contacts at the highest level.

The Jerusalem talks had been the first formal meeting at this level in the past 18 months, the spokesman added.

''We give due to the foresight and courage of Olmert and Abbas who, despite the persisting acute problems in bilateral relations, have made this important and, no doubt, positive step towards restarting the Palestinian-Israeli political dialogue,'' Mr Kamynin noted.

UNI XC KD 1958