MOSCOW, January 19. /TASS/. Israel remains an important partner for Russia in the Middle East in the current difficult foreign policy conditions, and Moscow is always open to working with Israeli partners on issues of regional security and stability, Russian Ambassador to Israel Anatoly Viktorov said on Thursday.
By restoring diplomatic relations more than 30 years ago, Russia and Israel opened a new chapter in their joint history, the ambassador stressed. "Over the past decades, ties between our countries have stood the test of time through joint efforts, have matured, advanced and have acquired a multidimensional and constructive nature. In the current difficult foreign policy conditions Israel remains, as before, an important partner for Russia in the Middle East," Viktorov stressed.
"And the further strengthening of bilateral ties fully meets the interests of our countries and peoples," the diplomat told a discussion on the foreign policy course of the new Israeli government at the Valdai International Discussion Club.
"We are always open to working with our Israeli partners on issues of regional security and stability, including some aspects related to the activities of other regional players, which are of concern to Israel," the diplomat stressed.
According to Viktorov, Moscow expects that the activities of the cabinet formed by Likud party leader Benjamin Netanyahu will benefit the Israeli people, promote traditional partnership relations with Russia and strengthen stability and security in the Middle East.
The ambassador also expressed the hope that the new leadership will pursue a pragmatic, independent and active foreign policy that will be aimed at ensuring the strategic interests and security of Israel. "For our part, as always, we are open to constructive interaction with the current government [of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu to further strengthen, consolidate and expand multifaceted mutually beneficial Russian-Israeli cooperation and coordinate efforts to improve the situation in the Middle East region and the international arena as a whole," the Russian envoy added.