A Russian expert expressed hope on Monday...
The Russian News & Information Agency RIA Novosti and the Russian Council for Foreign and Defense Policy within the framework of the Valdai International Discussion Club kicked off an international conference, called "Middle East 2020: Is a Comprehensive Settlement Possible?" late on Sunday.
"I think any talks are much better than a confrontation. If this forum makes it possible to involve in negotiations both the Palestinian groups who are currently split, Israel and all the co-sponsors, it would be a breakthrough," said Vladimir Isayev from the Institute of Oriental Studies at the Russian Academy of Sciences.
Reconciliation talks between Fatah, which rules the West Bank, and Hamas, which ousted Fatah from the Gaza Strip in the summer of 2007, have so far proved a failure.
However, Isayev said he did not expect the Jordan forum to see any breakthrough in the more than 60-year-old conflict between Israel and the Palestinian National Authority.