Foreign minister participates in GCC-Russia Strategic Dialogue

Moscow, May 26 (BNA): The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, participated today in the fourth meeting of the Strategic Dialogue between the Gulf Cooperation Council(GCC) and the Russian Federation, held in Moscow. The meeting discussed ties between the two sides and reviewed ways and mechanisms to strengthen consultation and coordination on regional issues, particularly terrorism and developments in both Syria and Iraq and the Iranian interference in the region. The meeting issued a joint statement where the ministers stressed the need for Iran's commitment to the principles of good neighborliness and non-interference in internal affairs of other countries and stressed on the need to respect states territorial integrity and not use or threat to use force in accordance with international law and the UN Charter. The ministers stressed the need for all parties to commit to the agreement reached between Iran and the (P5 + 1) in July 2015, regarding Iran's nuclear programme and the importance of making the Middle East free of weapons of mass destruction. The ministers condemned all terrorist organizations, and terrorism and extremism, in all its forms and manifestations, and reiterated the need to intensify cooperation among countries to fight terrorism and to coordinate efforts and exchange information and commitment to relevant Security Council resolutions. The ministers also welcomed the formation of the Islamic coalition against terrorism and cooperation between the Russian Federation and the United States against Daesh. On the Syrian situation, the ministers renewed their positions on the importance of preserving Syria’s unity, stability and territorial integrity and the significance of the full implementation of Security Council Resolution 2254, to allow immediate access of humanitarian aid to the besieged areas. They expressed hopes to achieve a cease-fire to provide a supportive environment for the political process supported by the United Nations and the International Syria Support Group in order to reach an agreement to achieve the aspirations of the Syrian people. The statement welcomed the cessation of hostilities in Yemen, and the ministers expressed their continued support for the UN envoy Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed efforts and stressed the importance of progress in the ongoing talks in Kuwait, urging all parties to take the necessary decisions to achieve a lasting and comprehensive political settlement of the conflict, according to UN Security Council 2216, the Gulf initiative, and the comprehensive national dialogue outcomes. The ministers stressed the need to deliver humanitarian aid to the Yemeni people without any hinders and as soon as possible. On Iraq, the two sides encouraged further progress towards solving sectarian tensions, emphasizing the importance of Iraq’s unity and rejecting outside interference in its affairs. The ministers expressed solidarity with the Iraqi people fighting Daesh and called to intensify efforts to restore stability in the regions freed from Daesh and provide aid to refugees and displaced people inside Iraq. Regarding the situation in Libya, the statement welcomed the agreement under which a national reconciliation government was formed. It expressed concern due to the terrorist acts taking place in Libya. The Ministers affirmed their support for UN efforts to maintain peace and security in Libya. With regard to the peace process in the Middle East, the ministers stressed the need to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict on the basis of a just, lasting and comprehensive agreement leading to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the 1967 borders. The ministers underlined the importance of activating the dialogue of civilizations as a necessary strategy that aims to consecrate the principles of mutual respect between civilizations and confront extremism and violence, noting the efforts made by the GCC countries and the Russian Federation in this aspect. With regard to cooperation between the GCC countries and Russia, the ministers stressed the importance of enhancing cooperation between the two sides on the political and economic levels and intensifying communication among officials in the commercial and industrial fields. The ministers agreed to host the fifth Ministerial Meeting for Strategic Dialogue in Bahrain in 2017.