OREANDA-NEWS. February 16, 2009. A telephone conversation between the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Sergey Lavrov and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Norway Jonas Store took place at the Norwegian side's request.

The discussions focused on the status of the Palestinian-Israeli settlement with particular emphasis placed on reinforcing measures to promote normalization of the situation in the Gaza Strip, mobilize international donor assistance to that end, and ensure inter-Palestinian reconciliation.

The parties discussed further strengthening of political dialogue between Norway and Russia, and development of international cooperation in the Arctic Region.