RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY: LASTING MIDEASTERN PEACE STANDS OUT IN RUSSIA-EGYPT DIALOGUE

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MOSCOW, May 26 (RIA Novosti) - One of the main themes in Russian-Egyptian dialogue is the establishment of a lasting and comprehensive peace in the Middle East, Alexander Yakovenko, official spokesman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, told RIA Novosti in the interview on eve of an official visit by Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak to Moscow, due on May 27 through 29.

"Both the sides confirm its international-law basis laid down by resolutions 242, 338, 1397 and 1515 of the United Nations Security Council, the Madrid principles. Our countries target deblocking the actually deadlock situation in the peace process, above all the Palestinian-Israeli relations", Alexander Yakovenko said.

"It is topical in the light of the results of the ministerial sitting of the Quartet of international mediators in New York on May 4. They emphasised that initiatives by this or other side should not tell on the decision on a final status, are called upon to be along the lines of the Roadmap and lead to a mutually acceptable solution of the existing problems through negotiations", he noted.

"Russian-Egyptian dialogue at every level is intensive, representing the mutual desire to provide a weighty additional impetus to mutually-beneficial bilateral cooperation", Alexander Yakovenko stressed.

In 2003 trade turnover between Russia and Egypt was 416 million dollars' worth, exceeding 700 million dollars with account for tourist services, thus making Egypt among the leading trade-economic partners of Russia in the Middle East and Africa.

Alexander Yakovenko also stressed that Moscow and Cairo share close positions on the majority of international problems, such as the Iraq situation.

"The views of Moscow and Cairo on the Iraq situation are very close: both the sides consistently come out for the earliest restoration of the sovereignty of Iraq in full volume, increasing of the role of the international community, particularly the United Nations, in the political remaking and socio-economic revival of that country", Alexander Yakovenko said.

"Russia and Egypt support the idea of convening an international conference with the participation of a wide range of representatives of the people of Iraq, neighbour countries, members of the United Nations Security Council and other states", the diplomat said.

In conclusion, Alexander Yakovenko noted that Egypt also supports Russia's policy line towards the broadening of cooperation with Islamic countries.

"In the context of Egypt's support for Russia's policy towards broader cooperation with the Organisation of the Islamic Conference, our countries consider Russia's joining the organisation as observer and, on a broader plane, efficient use of our contacts in the Islamic community in the interest of building a safer world, developing dialogue between civilisations, settling international and regional problems politically", said the official spokesman for the Russian Foreign Ministry.

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