2023-07-10 13:30:00
Lavrov at the press conference
The GCC and Russia emphasize communication and conflict resolution
Riyadh – Al Arabiya Channel
Posted on: July 10, 2023: 05:24 PM GST Last updated: July 10, 2023: 05:45 PM GST
On Monday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov expressed his country’s welcome for steps to restore relations between the Gulf states and Iran. This came during a press conference at the conclusion of the strategic dialogue between the Gulf states and Russia.
Lavrov also expressed Moscow’s interest in further trade cooperation with the Gulf Cooperation Council countries. He noted, “We welcome the efforts of the Gulf states to end the crisis in Yemen and launch a comprehensive national dialogue. We have a unified position with the Gulf states towards Syria’s unity and sovereignty over its lands, and Syria’s return to the Arab League has positively affected the region.” On the Sudan crisis, Lavrov said: “We are concerned regarding the continuation of violence in Sudan and the casualties.”
On the Palestinian issue, the Russian foreign minister said: “Russia agrees with the Gulf states on the importance of accelerating the solution of the Palestinian issue.” He also stressed, “We do not seek, through our alliances, to threaten any country.”
For his part, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Jassim Al-Budaiwi expressed the GCC countries’ aspiration to dialogue with Russia and to strengthen relations with it, pointing out that the joint action plan with Russia constitutes a cornerstone of bilateral relations, stressing: “We stand at the same distance with all our international partners.” .
During the press conference
Earlier Monday, the sixth ministerial meeting of the strategic dialogue between the Gulf states and Russia was launched in Moscow at the level of foreign ministers.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov declared, “Russian President Vladimir Putin is keen on communication and cooperation with the Gulf states.”
Lavrov stressed the need to maintain “the positive development of trade between Russia and the Gulf states.”
For his part, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Oman, Badr Al-Busaidi, announced “renewing support for the Presidential Leadership Council in Yemen,” and working to “reach a comprehensive political solution to the Yemeni crisis.”
Regarding the Sudan crisis, he said that “external interference in Sudan is fueling the conflict,” expressing concern regarding “the humanitarian and security repercussions of the crisis in Sudan.”
In his speech, the Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, Jassim Al-Budaiwi, announced that “the GCC countries are keen to enhance all forms of cooperation with Russia.”
He explained that “the GCC states affirm their support for efforts to achieve security and settle disputes.”
Secretary of Gulf Cooperation
He pointed out that “the GCC states support mediation efforts to resolve the Ukrainian crisis politically,” and also “support the extension of the grain export agreement.”
He explained that “cooperation with Russia within the OPEC + group was positive for the oil market.”
The Moscow dialogue sought to strengthen relations between the Arab Gulf states and the Russian Federation, and included many international issues and issues of regional cooperation.
Al-Budaiwi, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, said in a statement on Saturday that the meeting “strengthens relations between the two sides to serve common interests.”
From the fifth meeting between Russia and the Gulf Cooperation Council in Riyadh
He explained that the goal of the dialogue is “to increase joint cooperation on the one hand, and to provide an opportunity for exchanging views on a number of regional and international files, on the other hand.”
Al-Budaiwi described the Gulf-Russian relations as “distinguished,” noting that “since the two sides signed the Memorandum of Understanding for strategic dialogue in November 2011, its continuation is an indication of the two sides’ endeavor to move forward to build strong and close relations aimed at serving the common interests of both sides at all levels and fields.”
The fifth ministerial meeting between the Gulf Cooperation Council states and Russia, June 2022 – Archyde.com
He stated that the GCC countries “always work to cooperate and build relations with all countries and regional groupings,” pointing to the endeavor to “increase and intensify the Gulf regional and international presence, by engaging in strategic partnerships with the various parties of the international community.”
The fifth joint ministerial meeting of the strategic dialogue between the Gulf Cooperation Council and Russia was held in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, in June 2022, in the presence of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
The volume of trade exchange between the GCC countries and Russia reached $7.6 billion in the latest announced statistics for the year 2021. Electric machines and plastics are the most important commodities in exports to Russia, while grains, copper and its products are among the most important Russian imports.
The Gulf Cooperation Council has several strategic dialogues with countries and regional groups around the world, amounting to 15 strategic dialogues, including Russia, with the aim of expanding cooperation and consultation in all fields, according to the Gulf Cooperation Council website.
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