MOSCOW, December 13. /TASS/. Moscow will never support accords undermining Israel’s security but the state of Palestine still needs to be created, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said, addressing the Federation Council (the upper house of parliament).
"We will never support any agreements that will undermine and compromise Israel’s security. However, we are also confident that it is only possible to ensure its security based on the United Nations’ decisions, which stipulate and demand that the State of Palestine - an independent state - should exist side by side with this country and other countries in an atmosphere of security and good-neighborliness," Lavrov pointed out
The minister noted that Russia has always paid special, huge attention to ensuring security of its citizens in Israel.
"There are almost 2 million of our citizens there, and not former ones; the vast majority keeps their Russian citizenship. We have the closest ties, the Holy Land is there, the roots of the Orthodox religion and its relics are located there," the minister noted.
Meanwhile, Lavrov pointed out that, "judging by the position assumed by the West, they have no intention to create the Palestinian state at all."
"According ot our information, the West and the current Israeli leadership do not want the West Bank to unite with the Gaza Strip, as is required by the decision on the establishment of Palestine," Lavrov underscored.
He also noted that he has repeatedly said it during his meeting with Israeli counterparts, "almost with every one in this office," the Israel’s intransigence on this issue is, in his opinion, "the only, the most significant factor that fuels the extremism in the Middle East."