Right-wing Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman on Tuesday hailed Russia as a key partner as he moved to play down differences with Moscow over Iran and Palestinian militants. "Right from the start, Russia has been one of the main partners both in terms of a regional settlement and the Palestinian problem," Lieberman said as he met President Dmitry Medvedev at his residence near Moscow.
"We are connected by very many humanitarian, military and political issues. These will all be priority issues for us," said Lieberman, speaking fluent Russian thanks to his family origins in Soviet-era Moldova. Earlier in the visit, Lieberman said Israeli-Russian relations were at "their highest point" ever.
Alluding to Israeli concerns about Russian ties with Iran, he welcomed an assurance by Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov that Russia would only sell weapons in the Middle East if it would not upset the regional "balance". "I also agree with Sergei Viktorovich (Lavrov). Any deliveries of arms to any region that changes the balance of power or disturbs stability is impossible," Lieberman said.
Lavrov indicated there was progress on a plan long-cherished by Russia - a member of the international quartet for Middle East peace - to host a peace conference to bring together Israeli and Palestinian officials. Such a conference is expected to considerably boost Russia's diplomatic credentials - if it goes ahead. Israel has viewed the idea sceptically due to the possible attendance by the Palestinian militant group Hamas. But Lavrov said later Tuesday that Lieberman had assured Medvedev that Israel was ready to take part in such a conference this year.
Lavrov also voiced optimism about US President Barack Obama's overtures to Iran and the prospects for renewing international talks with the Islamic Republic - an arch-foe of Israel - on its nuclear programme. "We have a really good chance, including due to the position of the new US administration," Lavrov said. Israeli-Russian ties have improved somewhat in recent months, despite Israeli worries about Moscow's co-operation with Iran.
Russian defence officials have said that a planned sale of sophisticated S-300 air defence systems to Iran which had disturbed Israel has been halted. In a rare step, Russia's military has also recently bought aerial surveillance drones from an Israeli contractor. Russia carefully balances its desire to keep strong ties with the Arab world - which date back to Soviet times - without provoking Israel which is now the home of thousands of Russian Jews and a popular holiday destination.
Lieberman, who is to meet Prime Minister Vladimir Putin later in his visit, has set improving ties with Russia as one of his priorities under the recently confirmed Israeli government. However, the Russian daily Kommersant said Lieberman had made it clear ahead of his visit that Israel would not attend Russia's Middle East conference if representatives of Hamas were invited. Russia has kept up ties with the leadership of Hamas, which Israel considers a terrorist organisation, arguing the need for dialogue between both sides.
Only last month the Israeli government said it was "deeply disappointed" when Lavrov met the exiled head of Hamas, Khaled Meshaal, in Damascus. Lieberman was also likely to warn against ties with Iran during his visit, especially due to worries that the Islamic Republic could be emboldened by a recent nuclear test in North Korea, Kommersant said.
"The Israelis believe co-operation between the Islamic Republic and several states including Russia is helping speed up Tehran's moves in a dangerous direction," the Russian newspaper said.
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