Sergey Lavrov, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia, emphasized the importance of collective security in the Gulf region on Sunday at the ninth "Strategic Dialogue" meeting between Russia and the Gulf Cooperation Council, held at the ministerial level in Manama, the capital of Bahrain. Lavrov also recalled Moscow's proposal regarding the "concept of collective security in the Gulf region."
Emphasis on Direct Dialogue Among Regional Countries
Lavrov noted at this meeting: "The aim of Russia's proposed plan is to create conditions for direct dialogue among the Gulf Coast countries and their neighbors like Iraq and Jordan." He added: "Within the framework of this plan, regional actors such as the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation can also play a role. If the interested countries wish, the permanent members of the United Nations Security Council can also intervene to strengthen this process."
Read more: Egypt Emphasized Defense of Gulf Countries
Regional Crisis and the Role of Major Countries
The Russian Foreign Minister further stated: "The effectiveness of interactions between Russia and the Gulf Arab countries is largely dependent on regional stability. Today, we are discussing the most urgent issues of the Middle East comprehensively; especially the situation in the Gulf region, where a serious military-political crisis continues to persist." He referred to the unwarranted aggression of the United States and Israel against the Islamic Republic of Iran and added: "This aggression has led to chain reactions in other hotspots of tension throughout the Middle East."
Lavrov also emphasized that Moscow supports ongoing efforts for peace, including actions taken by the countries present at the Manama meeting, aimed at preventing a return to full-scale war in the region. He noted that the format of the "Strategic Dialogue" between Russia and the Gulf Cooperation Council was established about 15 years ago in Abu Dhabi, adding that strengthening mutually beneficial multilateral relations with the member countries of this council is one of the priorities of Russia's foreign policy and diplomacy.
Development of Bilateral Cooperation and Future Relations
Lavrov further referred to Russia's regular and active contacts with all member countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council and said: "This serves as a powerful driving force for the comprehensive advancement of our relations." He also pointed to the positive trend in bilateral cooperation between Russia and the Gulf Arab countries and added: "These collaborations have been strengthened by joint efforts to implement the 'Joint Action Plan for Strategic Dialogue (2023-2028).'"
The ninth meeting of foreign ministers within the framework of the strategic dialogue between Russia and the Arab Gulf Cooperation Council was held on Sunday, October 18, 2023, in Manama. In this meeting, the parties discussed a wide range of international and regional issues, including the situation in the Gulf. According to the spokesperson for the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Lavrov will continue his regional tour on Monday, October 19, traveling to Tehran to consult with Seyed Abbas Araghchi, his Iranian counterpart.
Read more: The Islamic Republic of Iran's Position on Yemen and Readiness to Resolve Diplomatic Issues · Sergey Lavrov, the Russian Foreign Minister, Arrived in Bahrain
