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Dialogue established between Israel and Russia on cooperation on Syria — Israeli minister

Israel and Russia earlier agreed to create a mechanism to prevent accidental confrontation between their forces in Syria
Russian combat helicopters in Syria TASS
Russian combat helicopters in Syria
© TASS

TEL AVIV, October 28. /TASS/. Dialogue has been established between Israel and Russian on coordination on Syria, Minister of Immigrant Absorption and Minister of Jerusalem Affairs Zeev Elkin told Russian journalists on Wednesday.

"Talking about agreements between our countries, a certain channel of dialogue has been established, I think, to prevent any mistakes and accidental collisions," Elkin said adding that "so far, we managed to avoid any misunderstandings."

He noted that "we mostly hold negotiations on Syria discreetly." "The topic was high on the agenda at the meeting between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Russian President Vladimir Putin where I participated as well," he added. Netanyahu paid a visit to Moscow on September. Elkin reminded that the Israeli prime minister told journalists after the visit that "Israel and Russia agreed to create a mechanism to prevent accidental confrontation between their forces in Syria."

Elkin said that "in the framework of our basic positions, we do not interfere in the Syrian confrontation." "At the same time, Israel does want another front of terrorist activities against Israel in the Golan Heights to open from the Syrian territory. Israel does not want the terrorist organization Hezbollah in Lebanon to get newest weaponry from Syria that can be used against us and our citizens," the minister continued. "We rather clearly stated where our red lines lie during [Netanyahu’s visit to Moscow]," he said. Israel "will fight [against Hezbollah acquiring weapons] by all possible means and intend to continue this policy in the future," Elkin added.

Elkin will later today participate in the session of the bilateral inter-governmental commission which he co-chairs from the Israeli side. "I will meet with Arkady Dvorkovich [Deputy Prime Minister, the commission’s co-chair from the Russian side] and discuss economic issues. I will also hold a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavorv," the minister said. "Of course, we will discuss pressing regional problems. One of such problems is the Syrian issue," he concluded.