Response by Sergey Vershinin, Director of the Middle East and North Africa Department at the Russian Foreign Ministry, to a Media Question Regarding the Meeting of Palestinian Organizations in Moscow’s Suburbs

Question: According to reports from news agencies, a meeting of various Palestinian organizations was held in Moscow's suburbs a few days ago. Why did Russia initiate this meeting on its territory? Why exactly now? Is there some kind of practical results from the event? Many have noticed that this was the first event of this size and level held outside the Arab world.

Answer: Indeed, the meeting took place in the Moscow suburbs over the weekend at the RAN Institute of Oriental Studies and with the cooperation of the Fund for the Support of Islamic Culture, Science and Education. Its participants, as is known, were received Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

I stress that the meeting bore an inter-Palestinian character. We provided the venue for these contacts; of course, where necessary, we tried to be helpful. At the same time we pursued a single goal - to enable the representatives of leading Palestinian organizations in a relaxed atmosphere to continue the dialogue on all issues of concern to them and thereby consolidate and develop the progress achieved in Cairo under very important Egyptian auspices. I think it worked. Confirmation of this is the Palestinians' adoption of the Moscow Statement at the end of the meeting, which bears a constructive character.

The priority now is the early formation of a unified and inclusive Palestinian government of independent technocrats. It would deal primarily with the preparation and organization of general elections a year from now. Holding such elections on a democratic and transparent basis would enable the unified Palestinian leadership to confidently rely on the support of most Palestinians.

And achieving national unity will allow the Palestinians to conduct a fruitful and effective dialogue with Israel. The purpose is well known: to create an independent, viable and peaceful Palestinian state living in peace and security with Israel. Without unity, this is unreal. By the way, if you look at the final paragraph of the Moscow Statement, you'll see the parameters outlined for such a state, agreed by all Palestinian representatives, including Hamas. It talks about the borders based on the June 4, 1967 lines.

Everyone understands that achieving full inter-Palestinian unity is not a simple matter; this requires time and hard work. The problems accumulated over the several years of division cannot be resolved hurriedly. In this regard, we intend to vigorously continue our efforts, building on the approaches agreed by the international community, including within the framework of the Middle East Quartet.