BETHLEHEM, January 23. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin has completed his visit to Israel and has now arrived in Palestine. Bethlehem will host talks between the Russian leader and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

Putin’s aide Yuri Ushakov thinks that the upcoming talks will concentrate on various issues both bilateral ones and the situation in the Middle East with an emphasis placed on the prospects of the Israeli-Palestinian settlement. He recalled Moscow’s position supporting Palestinians’ legitimate aspirations, including the right to a national independent state. The talks between Putin and Abbas will be held in the presidential palace.

Bethlehem is a city situated in the West Bank (of the River Jordan), eight kilometers south of Jerusalem. This is a center of Christian pilgrimage and tourism. Bethlehem was founded in around 1400 B.C. and is mentioned in the Old Testament as the ‘House of David’. It is most famous as the birthplace of Jesus Christ according to Gospels.

Putin paid a visit to Bethlehem in June 2012 when the Russian Center of Science and Culture was officially opened in his presence.