Russia, EU call for direct Israeli-Palestinian talksDecember 22, 2012 - 13:48 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Russia and the European Union believe the Palestinians and Israelis should open direct peace negotiations without any preconditions, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Saturday, December 22, according to RIA Novosti. “The parties should enter into direct and substantive negotiations without preliminary conditions with the aim of achieving a long-term resolution of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict,” Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Catherine Ashton said in a statement adopted at the Russia-EU summit in Brussels on Friday. They called on the Palestinian leadership to use the recognition of the Palestinian Authority (PA) as a UN non-member observer state constructively and not take any steps that could deepen the misunderstanding with Israel and further complicate a negotiated settlement. Russia and the EU urged Israel to avoid any steps undermining the PA’s financial situation. Russia has repeatedly called for a stronger effort to push Palestinians and Israel toward dialogue and revitalize the work of the Quartet of international mediators in the Mideast conflict, including the United States, the EU, the UN, and Russia. The Quartet was established in 2002 and had its last meeting in September 2011 at the UN headquarters. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Viva-MTS: Tech solutions to modernize infrastructure of border village The border village has been the focus of Viva-MTS and the Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Values since 2015. Ucom's fixed network launched in Artashat To mark this occasion, the company has introduced a special offer exclusively for Artashat residents. “By Your Side”: IDBank's new support program for displaced Artsakh citizens IDBank is launching a long-term social support program for forcibly displaced Artsakh residents. The Power of One Dram to benefit Road of Life charity The companies inform that the May beneficiary of The Power of One Dram is the “Road of Life” charitable organization. |