Representatives of the Middle East Quartet, made up of the UN, EU, Russia and the U.S., will meet on June 24 in the Egyptian town of Taba.
"Although the road map plan, laying the basis of settlement, was adopted a year and a half ago, unfortunately its first phase implementation has not started yet," said the Russian diplomat. He pointed out that the group of four members had common understanding of the need to move towards establishment of an independent Palestinian state.
In response to RIA Novosti's question on Egypt's initiative, Mr. Kalugin stressed that Egypt's proposals were in line with the "road map" core in terms of the Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip. In particular, the plan provides for merger of Palestine's security agencies, upon which Cairo insists.
At the same time, according to the diplomat, Egypt is concerned over some statements of Tel Aviv about the "limited withdrawal" that can last for a long time, the possible resettlement of Jews from Gaza to the West Bank, and the blocking of Gaza, which would turn the region into a "Palestinian ghetto."
On Monday Alexander Kalugin held talks with Egypt's Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher, the Egyptian president's political advisor Osama al-Baz and Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa.
