Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov hailed Monday "friendship and partnership" relations between his country and the Arabian Gulf States.
Lavrov said, during a press conference held at the end of the ministerial meeting of the strategic dialogue between Russia and the Gulf Cooperation Council Member States, that " relations between Russia and the GCC countries are also based on mutual respect and serving interests of each party." He added, "the talks showed that we always present our positions in a fair manner, and that neither side works against the other, indicating that the relations between the two sides are based on consensus and non-interference in the affairs of the other party." He pointed to the agreement of the two sides to strengthen and diversify relations and economic ties, invest all available opportunities, and activate joint governmental committees between Russia and GCC countries.
He affirmed Russia's readiness "to meet the needs of Arab countries for wheat and grains," stressing that there are no obstacles that impede cooperation in this field.
On Syria, Lavrov said he believed that Syria's return to the Arab League last May contributed to "improving the political situation in the Middle East and strengthening the positions of Arab countries at the international level." He said that participants in the strategic dialogue expressed their support for Syria's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, and paid attention to the need to advance the process of comprehensive settlement, reconstruction and normalization of relations between Russia and the surrounding regional countries.
On the other hand, Lavrov welcomed the normalization of Arab-Iranian relations, saying that the resumption of relations between Riyadh and Tehran contributes to creating a positive atmosphere in the region.
Lavrov noted that the countries participating in the strategic dialogue issued a joint statement and agreed on an action plan during the period from 2023 to 2028.
Source: Kuwait News Agency