According to the Foreign Ministry's press department, Alexander Saltanov met with the new Palestinian ambassador to Russia, Baker Abdel Munem. The sides discussed current regional and international issues, including the situation in the Middle East in the light of the Palestinian parliamentary elections in January (at which the Islamic radical group Hamas gained a landslide victory) and the upcoming elections in Israel.
During the meeting, the ambassador presented the ministry with copies of his credentials.
"The sides expressed their shared interest in further strengthening Russian-Palestinian relations for the benefit of our countries, and for peace in the Middle East. The ambassador reaffirmed his resolve to work toward these objectives as part of his diplomatic mission in Moscow," the ministry said.
President Vladimir Putin announced during a visit to Spain two weeks ago that he was planning to invite the leaders of Hamas to Moscow for talks.
Hamas has claimed responsibility for a number of attacks on Israel, which it refuses to recognize as a nation state. Its victory has jeopardized Western aid to the Palestinian National Authority.
The Russian president said: "We must recognize that Hamas came to power via legitimate, democratic elections in the Palestinian National Authority, which is why we must respect the choice of the Palestinian people."
