The visit to Jericho by the Russian leader reiterates the historic tie between the two nations, marked by the 1988 recognition by the Soviet Union. Economic agreements are signed worth millions of dollars. For Palestinian President Abbas, the visit is an historic moment for Palestine and its people.

Jericho (AsiaNews/Agencies) – In his first visit to Palestine, Russian President Medvedev reiterated Moscow’s support for the establishment of a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital. The Russian leader met Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas this morning in Jericho. Quickly, Israel responded by minimising the significance of the Russian president’s statement, stressing Israel’s good relations with Moscow. Russia, along with the United States, the European Union and the United Nations, is a member of the international quartet involving in Middle East peace talks.

In Jericho, Mr. Medvedev told reporters that Russia fully supported “the inalienable right of the Palestinian people to an independent, territorially contiguous and viable state with its capital in East Jerusalem.”  For him, an independent Palestinian state would be a victory for all the peoples of the Middle East, including Palestinians and Israelis.

For his part, Mahmud Abbas said, “We consider this visit by the president of the Russian Federation a historic one by all measures, as a laurel crowning the heads of the Palestinian people.”

He added that Palestinian authorities would not give in to the temptation of using violence to create their own state, but he urged Israel to stop its settlement activities and return to the negotiating table.

The Soviet Union was the first nation to recognise Palestine in 1988. It also provided the new state with economic assistance and political support.

Russia is following the same path. The Russian president brought with him about 100 business leaders to sign agreements valued at US$ 40 million in agriculture, education, sports and tourism.

In order to turn talks around with Israel, Palestinian leaders have urged the nations of the world to recognise Palestine as an independent country within the 1967 borders. The first country to do so was Brazil, followed by other Latin American nations, including Chile. In Europe, only Spain and the United Kingdom have expressed favourable views in the matter.

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• medvedev
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