Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will tour the Middle East on June 28-30 to discuss the Palestinian-Israeli peace process and other regional issues, a spokesman said on Thursday.
Andrei Nesterenko said Lavrov is due to meet Israeli, PNA, Egyptian and Arab League leaders.
He said the tour will center on the Mideast peace process in general and along its specific tracks.
He said in particular Russia sought to channel indirect negotiations between Israel and the PNA into a format of direct dialogue with a view to ultimately establish a viable independent Palestinian state "living in peace and security with Israel and other neighbors."
During the course of negotiations, the minister will reiterate the Russian proposal to host a Mideast peace conference in Moscow if and when the political prerequisites for it are in place.
MOSCOW, June 24 (RIA Novosti)
