They exchanged opinions about the situation in the Middle East, as well as the Arab-Israeli conflict and the Iraqi problem. The Russian head of state showed great interest in Tel-Aviv’s position on the prospects of its relations with Syria and Lebanon, and spoke for the unconditional observance of UN Security Council Resolution 1435 adopted on Russia’s initiative. Implementing the principles laid out in the document would create a solid groundwork for the settlement of a whole range of Middle East problems.
The Russian President and the Israeli Prime Minister also discussed the pressing issues of economic and political cooperation. Mr Putin said that Israeli-Russian relations were progressing in all fields of activity. The trade turnover between the countries had already reached the $1 billion mark. They said the countries had a huge potential for stepping up mutually beneficial partnership in the high-tech industries.