Egyptian-Russian joint statement calls for Israeli withdrawal from occupied territories

The Russian and Egyptian foreign and defense ministers have issued a joint statement calling for continued talks between Israel and Palestine and stressing the need for Israel to leave the occupied territories and a viable Palestinian state to be created, the Voice of Russia has reported."They (the participants of the Russian-Egyptian consultations) called on the parties to show the good will for continuing the talks and to avoid any unilateral steps," according to the joint statement issued after the two plus two negotiations held between the Russian and Egyptian foreign and defense ministers in Moscow.There is "deep concern over the illegal settlement activity carried out by Israel in the occupied territories, including East Jerusalem," the negotiators said.