MOSCOW, August 18, SPA -- Russia's President Dmitry Medvedev hosted Israeli counterpart Shimon Peres for talks Tuesday that were expected to focus on the Middle East. Russia aspires to host an international conference todiscuss the Middle East peace process, and Medvedev andPeres were expected to discuss the issue during their talksin the Russian Black Sea resort of Sochi. Medvedev said he was ready to discuss with Peres both bilateral ties and regional challenges. «We can touch on both Russian-Israeli ties and difficultissues related to the Middle East settlement and otherregional problems,» Medvedev said at the start of thetalks. «There are more difficulties than we wish, but westill need to discuss them.» Peres told Medvedev that he had «great hopes» for themeeting.--SPA www.spa.gov.sa/693548