The visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to Jordan for talks with His Majesty King Abdullah came at an interesting time in the region.
Egypt has a new, Islamist, president, the Arab Spring has swept over some Arab countries and is at the doorstep of others, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is still simmering, with no solution in sight, and the situation in Syria is getting from bad to worse.
A Russian intervention in the right direction could help the regional peace, security and stability to a great extent.
President Putin started his itinerary to the Middle East in Israel not by chance but because its conflict with the Arab world, in general, and the Palestinians, in particular, has been at the core of most other regional problems and its resolution would, no doubt, put an end to many.
The Russian president also held talks with Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, in a show of solidarity with the Palestinians and, one would want to believe, in search for a just resolution of the Palestinian file.
Amman and Moscow enjoy the best of relations in several fields.
Russia is still a considerable power and a permanent member of the UN Security Council. What it says and does goes a long way and has serious impact on regional and international developments.
Russia holds one of the important keys to solving Middle Eastern problems and crises, and the Arab peoples expect it to play that noble role in the most constructive manner.
The King and the Russian leader share the international consensus that the Syrian crisis awaits a political settlement as the only way out of the increasing violence and bloodletting in the country.
During his brief trip to the Kingdom, Putin visited the Baptism Site, along the Jordan River, where a Russian church has been recently built — yet another proof of the religious tolerance Jordan has been exhibiting since its inception.
The site is attracting a multitude of pilgrims and tourists. The Russian support for the place where Jesus Christ was baptised is appreciated, and reflects the level of cooperation between our countries.
The two leaders expressed commitment to boosting ties and capitalising on the potential for further cooperation, especially in politics, economy, agriculture, tourism, transport and energy, and this is, undoubtedly, commendable.
It is only hoped that Russia will assume a more active role in the region, helping it end the protracted Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the bloodbath in Syria.
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