MOSCOW, December 7. /TASS/. Mikhail Bogdanov, Russian special presidential envoy for the Middle East and Africa and deputy foreign minister, has discussed ways to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict with Khalifa Shaheen Almarar and Ahmed Al Sayegh, ministers of state at the United Arab Emirates’ Foreign Ministry.

"While exchanging views on pressing issues facing the Middle East, the parties focused on the prospects for resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, including the need to end military activities in the Gaza Strip as soon as possible and address humanitarian problems," the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement following the Abu Dhabi consultations.

The Russian Foreign Ministry noted that the diplomats discussed "a set of issues pertaining to the further strengthening of traditionally friendly relations between Russia and the United Arab Emirates, taking into account the outcome of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s December 6 visit to the UAE."

"Special attention was paid to efforts to boost mutually beneficial trade, economic and humanitarian cooperation and enhance foreign policy coordination, particularly in terms of the UAE’s participation in the BRICS group’s activities," the statement added.

The Russian Foreign Ministry pointed out that the parties gave consideration to the situations in Syria, Yemen and Sudan, as well as the importance of consolidating related peacemaking efforts based on international law.