MOSCOW, May 15 (RIA Novosti) - Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said Monday negotiations are the only way to solve the current deadlock in the Mideast peace process, and called for new negotiations with the Israeli government.
"We expect the new Israeli government to join negotiations with us, as we are partners and believe in a peaceful resolution," Abbas said at talks in the southern Russian resort of Sochi with President Vladimir Putin.
"The only way is through negotiations that will lead to resolution of the conflict between the Palestinians and the Israelis," he said.
Abbas said he hoped a decision would be found to satisfy the both countries and problems would be resolved.
"We believe in the effectiveness of the 'road map' worked out by the Quartet [Russia, the EU, U.S. and UN] because in our opinion this plan is the main, if not the only, way to resolve the conflict," he said.
Putin said he was glad to discuss issues that Russia could help resolve.
"I know that you are making great efforts to normalize the situation on your territories and to form a favorable background for normal and consistent development," Putin said.
Putin's meeting with Abbas is expected to focus on restarting the peace process, which stalled after the radical Hamas movement swept to power in the January general elections in Palestine.
The United States and the European Union have suspended aid to the Palestinian government, dominated by Hamas, as they - unlike Moscow - classify it as a terrorist organization. Israel has also stopped transferring tax receipts to the PA it collects on its behalf.
Russia transferred $10 million in humanitarian aid last week to the Palestinian Authority, where some employees have been unable to receive their wages for two months.
