JERICHO, January 18, 2011 (WAFA) – Russian President Dmitry Medvedev is expected to arrive in Jericho today to meet with President Mahmoud Abbas.

This is the first visit by a president of a superpower to the Palestinian territory without a visit to Israel, and the first visit of the Russian president since he was elected.

Palestinians in Jericho decorated the streets for the reception of Medvedev.

Medvedev’s visit also includes the signing of three agreements: cooperation between Palestine and Russia in the agricultural field, in the media, and between the Russian Olympic Committee and its Palestinian counterpart.

Medvedev will also attend the opening of the Russian Museum.

He will be accompanied by his foreign minister and a delegation of 125 people, including Russian businesspeople interested in investment in the Palestinian territory.

Medvedev was expected to arrive in Tel Aviv but he canceled his visit due to an employee strike at the Israeli foreign ministry.

T.R.