MOSCOW, April 15. /TASS/. Prospects for the Palestinian-Israeli settlement and the current situation in the Gaza Strip were in focus of a meeting between Russian president’s envoy for the Middle East and African countries and Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, the Russian foreign ministry said on Sunday.

"The meeting was held in an atmosphere of trust. The sides focused on prospects for the Palestinian-Israeli settlement. In the light of the dangerous aggravation of the situation on the Palestinian territories, primarily in the Gaza Strip, and on the backdrop of the United States’ unilateral steps concerning Jerusalem’s status and continues Israeli settlement activities, the sides expressed a solidary position in favor of the soonest establishment of a sustainable negotiating political process on the recognized basis of international law," the ministry said.

Apart from that, the sides discussed efforts towards restoration of Palestinian national unity on a political platform of the Palestine Liberation Organization, which envisage the establishment of an independent Palestinian state within the 1967 boundaries with a capital in East Jerusalem that would leave in peace and security with its neighbors, including Israel.

"The sides also touched upon a number of practical issues of further development of traditionally friendly Russian-Palestinian relations, including maintaining active political dialogue and strengthening economic and humanitarian ties," the ministry said.

The meeting took place on Saturday in the Saudi city of Dhahran ahead of the 29th summit of the Arab League.