Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and other leaders at a diplomatic conference in Turkey

Addressing a diplomatic conference in Turkey, Sergei Lavrov said Hamas had agreed in writing for the first time to respect the platform of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), though he said it remained to be seen whether this would turn into more than words on a piece of paper.

Hamas refused to recognize Israel’s right to exist, but has used various formulas to fudge this position under diplomatic pressure.

A statement on Friday by the Palestinian factions represented in Moscow said there would be an “upcoming dialogue” to bring them under the banner of the PLO. Qatar and Egypt ‘will help form new Palestinian technocratic government’

Lavrov said the joint communique issued by the factions was an advance on five years ago when he hosted talks in Moscow and the sides could not agree on any written statement.