Official website of the President of Russia

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In particular, the two leaders discussed ways of further strengthening bilateral relations and current regional and international problems.

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President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Mr President,

Please allow me to welcome you to Moscow. I am very happy to see you. I will not talk now about the nature of our relations; they are well known.

Unfortunately, the situation in the region is not improving. I am very happy for the opportunity to meet with you and talk about how it is developing and outline certain steps to normalise it. Naturally, we would all very much like for the peace process to be renewed. I know that there are many complications there and I am very happy for the opportunity to exchange views with you on what we need to do together in order to move forward.

President of The State of Palestine Mahmoud Abbas (retranslated): Thank you, Your Excellency, for giving me this opportunity to meet with you. We know how busy you are and particularly value this meeting.

As you noted, this is a meeting between two friends, so it is especially valuable for us and we would also like to use this opportunity to exchange views on what is happening in our region, and we would like to know about your point of view and hear your advice about the events taking place.

As you rightly noted, there are many issues in the region that are of mutual interest, but we are interested first and foremost in developing bilateral cooperation with the Russian Federation.

This is in addition to other issues on the regional agenda, which is currently dominant for us and for our neighbours. I am also certain that it is important for other states throughout the world, including your nation.

I want to once again thank you, Your Excellency, for providing this opportunity. I want to stress again, we know how busy you are with many serious matters and so for us, the opportunity to meet with you and exchange views is all the more valuable.

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