( CNN ) -- Russian President Dmitry Medvedev visits the Palestinian territories on a `` historic '' trip Tuesday as part of his Middle East tour . Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas welcomes him in Jericho in the West Bank , where the two are expected to hold a joint press conference . Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erakat called Medvedev 's trip a `` historic state visit '' adding that `` the message to the world is that the Palestinians are ready for statehood and independence . '' The Palestinian and Russian presidents will sign three agreements in agriculture , sports and communications . Medvedev will then inaugurate a new Russian art museum in Jericho . `` It 's a beautiful addition '' to the city , Erakat told CNN . Erakat sees this visit as an important step towards achieving Palestinian independence , he said . `` This is our message to the world : Look at us . We are ready for a statehood , we are ready for independence , we are ready for freedom . '' Russia was one of the first countries to recognise the Palestinian state and the Palestinians have full diplomatic representation in Moscow . Medvedev cancelled an official visit to Israel this month due to a strike by the Foreign Ministry employees who refused to organize the visit and threatened to disrupt the visit if it took place . Foreign Ministry workers have been striking since mid-December , demanding higher wages . Ministry spokesman Yigal Palmor told CNN last week that the strike is harming Israeli interests , just as teachers ' strikes and hospital strikes do harm , but he blamed the finance ministry for ignoring the workers ' demands . `` They are not taking the strike seriously -- they are treating it as a playground strike , '' he said . Israeli President Shimon Peres phoned the Russian president , apologized for the canceled visit , and thanked him for his involvement in the Middle East peace process . Medvedev accepted to Peres ' invitation to meet him at the World Economic Forum in Davos , Israel said .
The Russian government will open an art gallery and sign agreements with the Palestinians . President Erakat says the visit shows the Palestinians are ready for statehood . Medvedev had to cancel a visit to Israel because of a strike .