Russian President's aide Sergei Prikhodko told reporters on the eve of President Vladimir Putin's visit to the Palestinian territories that Middle East settlement would be the main issue Putin was going to discuss with Palestinian leaders.
"What is important now is to make good use of the real opportunity to renew peace process on the basis of the Road Map, the only [settlement] plan recognized internationally," he said.
Moscow sees the Road Map, if implemented appropriately, as a way to stop the confrontation and create conditions for both parties to the Mideast conflict to attain mutually acceptable political goals, which is statehood for the Palestinians and peaceful and safe life for the Israelis.
"To move the events this way, the Palestinians and Israelis need to conduct a direct dialog and coordinate their efforts at the stage of enforcement of decisions taken at the Sharm el-Sheikh summit on February 8 and thereafter," the president's aide said.
According to him, a start to the enforcement of the Road Map should be given by the anticipated Israeli disengagement from the Gaza Strip and part of the West Bank.
"Both sides should stick to their commitments and avoid any unilateral steps that undermine their movement towards peace," Prikhodko said.
He said Vladimir Putin would visit the Yassir Arafat memorial in Ramallah during his trip, to pay tribute to "the renowned political actor who devotedly advocated Palestinians' quest for the realization of their national sentiments and strongly promoted Russian-Palestinian relations."
"Russia has always supported well-justified aspirations of the Palestinians, including their right to create an independent state living in an environment of peace and security with Israel," the Russian president's aide said.
"We are ready to go on in our active efforts together with the Palestinian leadership to build peace and stability in the region and promote Russian-Palestinian ties," he added.
