G8 Summit 2006 (Moscow) – Situation in the Middle East/Foreign Ministers press conference/Lavrov (excerpts) – Press release/Non-UN document

Transcript of Joint Press Conference of G8 Foreign Ministers – Sergey Lavrov

June 29  

Foreign Minister Lavrov:  …

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… We also paid special attention to conditions in the Middle East, primarily in the context of the recent exacerbation in relations between the Palestinians and Israel. We reaffirmed our support of the position of the Quartet of international mediators and called upon the parties to take all necessary measures to calm down the situation and create conditions for ensuring security and a return to the negotiation process on the basis of the Roadmap.

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Question: I know that this is a complicated problem, but you represent the most powerful countries of the world. Why can't you put pressure to get the release of the Israeli serviceman captured in Gaza?

Foreign Minister Lavrov: I want to say that we all concur on the need to get the Israeli serviceman released. The appropriate demands are contained in the Statement. I can also say that Russia is one of the countries that are working in this direction via bilateral channels.

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