Key issues standing in the way of a successful resolution of the six-decade Israeli-Palestinian conflict are the eventual borders between Israel and a newly independent Palestinian state, control over the disputed part of Jerusalem, and the fate of millions of Palestinian refugees.
"We believe there is a chance for progress in resolving this problem, and starting a meaningful talks process between the Israeli and Palestinian leaderships," Alexander Saltanov said.
Acting Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will represent Russia at the Quartet meeting in New York with the United States, the European Union and the UN. The sides are also expected to discuss a Mideast peace conference proposed by Washington, scheduled for November.
On Monday, the first day of the 62nd Session of UN General Assembly, President George W. Bush is set to meet in New York with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Salam Fayyad for discussions focused on achieving a two-state solution for Israel and the Palestinian territories.
At the UN General Assembly, Russia's acting foreign minister will attend ministerial-level meetings on Afghanistan, the Iranian nuclear issue, and the future status of Serbia's predominantly Albanian province of Kosovo.
