OREANDA-NEWS. June 24, 2009. Addressing the meeting, the President said that the priority today is to resume Palestinian-Israeli negotiations as swiftly as possible. The Middle East peace process should lead to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, Mr Medvedev said.

The Moscow conference on the Middle East will be an important step in achieving this goal, the President said.

Mr Medvedev called for a respectful attitude towards the Arab countries’ desire to combine modern development with their own national and religious traditions.

The President also held talks with Secretary-General of the League of Arab States Amr Moussa.

Russia and the League of Arab States agreed to continue developing their relations in various areas, in particular by establishing a Russian-Arab cooperation forum. This is stated in the declaration of intent issued following Mr Medvedev’s talks at the organisation’s headquarters in Cairo.