Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated that Moscow is concerned over the apparent dead-end in talks between Israel and the Palestinian Territories over a peaceful settlement.

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MOSCOW, December 22 (Sputnik)Moscow is concerned over the seemingly dead-end talks between Israel and the Palestinian Authority over a peaceful settlement, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Monday.

"We are concerned over the dead end in the peace process between the Palestinian [Territories] and Israel," Lavrov said during a meeting in Moscow with the Palestinian National Administration's negotiator, Sahib Oreikat.

The Russian Foreign Minister also pointed out that the aspirations of Palestinians to gain statehood are well understood and supported in Russia. Lavrov added that he knows about the draft resolution on the creation of the Palestinian state submitted to the UN Security Council on December 17.

According to the document it is necessary that no later than 12 months after the adoption of the resolution, A "just, lasting and comprehensive" peace settlement must be put into place to end the "Israeli occupation."

On the same day, the European Parliament adopted a resolution calling for the recognition of the Palestinian Authority as a sovereign state.

Palestinians have long sought an independent state in the West Bank, including the disputed city of East Jerusalem, as well as the Gaza Strip exclave.

The State of Palestine has been recognized by 135 out of 193 member states of the United Nations.