SOCHI, Southern Russia, May 15 (RIA Novosti) - Russia welcomes the Palestinian president's decision to resume talks with Israel and is ready to listen to appeals for assistance to the Palestinians, a deputy foreign minister said Monday.
Following talks between presidents Vladimir Putin and Mahmoud Abbas, Alexander Saltanov also said Russia hopes Israel would reciprocate on the talks offer - but said Moscow will continue to negotiate with the Hamas-dominated Palestinian government, despite international pressure to break off relations with the radical Islamist group.
"We were satisfied with the determination of the PNA's leadership to resolve the problems that exist between the Palestinians and the Israelis, and progress toward a settlement through negotiations," Saltanov said following the talks, held in the southern Russian resort of Sochi.
During the talks, Abbas said: "We expect the new Israeli government to join negotiations with us, as we are partners and believe in a peaceful resolution."
Saltanov said Russia supported the continuation of dialogue between all interested Palestinian parties - including Hamas - and called for internationally brokered negotiations to stick to the "road map" solution drafted by the Quartet of Russia, the EU, the UN, and the United States.
"We believe in the effectiveness of the 'road map' worked out by the Quartet, because in our opinion this plan is the main, if not the only, way to resolve the conflict," he said.
Saltanov said the Russian government had dispatched $10 million in urgent financial aid May 4 to the Palestinian National Authority, where some employees have been unable to receive their wages for two months, and that Abbas had confirmed receipt of funds in a conversation with Putin.
"The funds were transferred transparently, with a possibility of an audit, and were aimed to resolve urgent problems in health care," Saltanov said, adding that the Palestinians had already started using the funds.
The United States and the European Union suspended aid to the Palestinian government following January elections won by Hamas, which they - unlike Moscow - classify as a terrorist organization. The Quartet has since agreed in principle to resume aid, but talks over finalization of a mechanism to ensure the money is used properly are stalled over U.S. qualms.
Saltanov said no concrete proposals had been made Monday by Abbas, but said Russia would give careful consideration should the Palestinians ask for help in future.
"Various forms of assistance to the Palestinian ... administration are under consideration. When concrete appeals arrive, they will be considered with greatest attention and ways will be sought to implement them," he said.
Saltanov said Russia expected Hamas, which swept to power in the January general elections in Palestine, to fulfill the international community's demands, including the acknowledgement of former agreements and Israel's right for existence, non-use of force and continuation of the peace process.
