Subscribe to Print Edition | Sat., April 05, 2008 Adar2 30, 5768 | | Israel Time: 17:36 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Advertising Books Arts & Leisure Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

Russian President Vladimir Putin (left) and Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (right) at a NATO conference in Bucharest on Friday. (Reuters) Last update - 07:24 05/04/2008 Putin: Moscow is committed to hosting Mideast peace meet By Omer Barak, Haaretz Correspondent Tags: israel, vladimir putin  Russian President Vladimir Putin said Friday that Russia was committed to promoting a Middle East peace conference in Moscow, meant to act as a follow-up to the U.S.-hosted Annapolis conference held last November. "We have discussed this with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak during his visit to Russia last week," Putin said. "Many preparations are required, but as far as we understand, the Americans and our friends in the Arab world all support the gathering." Advertisement "We are speaking with Israel about it, and when the circumstances ripen, we will make an announcement," Putin added. Speaking at a press conference following the final day of a NATO summit in Bucharest on Friday, Putin stressed that Moscow "does not want to lead the [peace] process, but rather mediate between the two sides, so that each one of them can make a small step forward." Putin went on to say "the goal is not just to talk, though talking is better than shooting, but rather to achieve real results." The outgoing Russian president added that "Russia has several advantages" that make it the optimal country to host the peace conference, among them "the tightening of the relations with Israel in recent years and the growing trust between Jerusalem and Moscow. Many of Israel's citizens are former residents of the Soviet Union, one could even say that Israel is a Russian-speaking country." He also mentioned an agreement signed recently between Israel and Russia, during Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov's trip to Israel last month, eliminating the visa requirements for travelers between the two countries. During Lavrov's visit, the Russian foreign minister raised the issue of the Kremlin's desire to host a Middle East peace conference, which was first announced immediately after the Annapolis conference. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert expressed doubts regarding the idea, saying that "another conference won't help in this stage of the process with the Palestinians." The talks between the Russian president and NATO leaders, which closed the largest-ever NATO summit, focused on Moscow's fears that the North Atlantic Treaty Organization will expand into Eastern Europe. Before Putin's arrival, the member states decided, with France and Germany's support and in opposition of U.S. President George W. Bush, to postpone at this time the admittance of the Ukraine and Georgia into the organization. Putin termed his talks with the organization leaders "positive" but stressed that Russia would view the expansion of NATO as a "direct threat" to its security. However, when asked whether there exists a possibility of a renewed cold war, Putin replied that there is no such possibility because "no one is interested in one." Related articles: Israel says it opposes Russian plans for Moscow peace summit PM Olmert to hold talks with Putin in Moscow on Thursday Russia's UN envoy: Moscow summit would energize peace process FM heads to Moscow for talks on Iran, Middle East peace Bookmark to del.icio.us   Lost giant Endangered sea turtle washes up on Gaza's shore and is eaten. Not worried Nearly half of Israeli Arabs say let Iran develop nukes.   1.   The Russians are certainly not friends of Israel. 07:06  |  Jean Van Daem 05/04/08   2.   1# Jaen Van Daem. 09:08  |  Akram Zekaria 05/04/08   3.   1, 2, 12:49  |  Jozef 05/04/08   4.   How nice Mr. PUTIN 13:23  |  Gil 05/04/08   5.   i aint diputin that the russian bear is not to be trusted 13:31  |  v hardman 05/04/08   6.   Russia has a healthy respect for Israel..! 14:29  |  Stephen. 05/04/08   7.   Putin`s Plan. 15:19  |  Vital 05/04/08   8.   Moscow committed to Supplying More Arms to Middle East 16:57  |  The Archives 05/04/08

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