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Wednesday 27 June 2012 - 08:23

Putin: Russia has no problem to recognize Palestinian state

Story Code : 174679
Putin: Russia has no problem to recognize Palestinian state
Meanwhile acting Palestinian authority chief Mahmoud Abbas called for an international conference to be held in the Russian capital Moscow on the Palestinian Israeli conflict. Abbas also called on Russia's help to secure the release of Palestinian prisoners held inside Israeli Jails.

Senior PLO official Nabil Shaath placed the visit in the context of continued Russian support to the Palestinian cause.

The Russian President inaugurated a Russian cultural center in Bethlehem, after he briefly visited the church of the Nativity.
Putin and Abbas discussed bilateral relations and developments in the region. In his speech, Putin criticized unilateral moves, in reference to Israel's illegal settlement building on occupied Palestinian land.

The Russian guest visit is seen as a means to bolster Russian presence in the region. On Monday Putin met with Netanyahu and Peres.
Putin's next stop is in Jordan.

Vladimir Putin's visit to the occupied Palestinian territories is a message to the Palestinians, Israelis and indeed the entire world that the Palestinian Israeli conflict is still important to Russia. But the question on the minds of many Palestinians is whether Putin will exert the necessary pressure on Israel to end its occupation of the Palestinian territories.
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