STRASBOURG. June 29 (Interfax-AVN) - A settlement of the conflict in the Middle East can only by achieved by peaceful means, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko told the PACE session in Strasbourg on Thursday.
"The peace settlement in the Middle East is a key element of our position," he said.
Asked about cooperation with the Palestinian movement of Hamas, he said, the Hamas-led government was formed after democratic and fair elections.
"Some countries are unable to establish direct political contacts [with Hamas] due to certain circumstances, but Russia can do that," he said.
Russia has a firm stand in the relations with the new Palestinian government, Grushko said. It insists on Palestinian recognition of the state of Israel and the rejection of violence in the pursuit of political goals, he said.