14 January 2003 00:00
ALEXANDER YAKOVENKO, THE OFFICIAL SPOKESMAN OF RUSSIA'S MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, ANSWERS A QUESTION FROM RUSSIAN MEDIA ABOUT RUSSIA'S PARTICIPATION IN THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON PALESTINIAN REFORMS
63-14-01-2003
Question: Is Russia participating in the international conference on Palestinian reforms currently being held in London?
Answer: Russia has invariably participated in all the international forums which have been conducted within the framework of efforts directed towards the promotion of a Middle East settlement. As is known, in December in Washington the Quartet of international mediators, of which Russia is a part, backed up the initiative of British Prime Minister Tony Blair for holding a meeting in London dedicated to assistance for Palestinian reforms.
Regrettably, because of the Israeli leadership's decision barring a Palestinian delegation from leaving for the British capital, the format of this conference has turned out to be slightly different than had been planned. Still, we had welcomed the determination of the British side and of Prime Minister Blair personally to organize this event in spite of everything. From the Russian side the special representative of the Minister for Middle East settlement, the ambassador at large, Andrei Vdovin is participating in it; he will use this opportunity also for the continuation of contacts on Middle East settlement with other concerned parties.
We count on the conference to make a practical contribution to the advancement of reforms in the Palestinian National Authority and determine the priorities and concrete measures as regards assistance on the part of the international community for these reforms, and in a broader sense - for the resumption of the peace process as a whole.
January 14, 2003
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