Bahrain, Russia to boost ties, back Palestinians

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Bahrain and Russia enjoy a strong friendship, which reflected deeply in the bilateral talks between the two sides, said Dr Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, the Bahrain Minister of Foreign Affairs, during a press conference yesterday with Sergey Lavrov, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation.

Lavrov said Dr Al Zayani paved the way for opening up new areas of cooperation between the two friendly countries, including in education, tourism and parliamentary work.

“We are discussing a deal for peaceful exploration of open space and on more coordination at various international levels,” said the Russian minister.

Lavrov said that Bahrain and Russia enjoy an identical vision on various international issues, including that there is no alternative to a peaceful settlement of the situation in Syria, which requires urgent efforts to tackle the humanitarian crisis.

Sergey Lavrov also highlighted the inalienable right of the Palestinians to establish their state, pointing to the need to activate efforts to end the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. “This should begin with direct negotiations between the Palestinians and Israelis and activating the work of the International Quartet in cooperation with the League of Arab States.”

The Russian minister also stressed his interest to present an updated version of the concept of collective security in the Gulf region to the Gulf Cooperation Council.

Sputnik production

Dr Al-Zayani said the two sides discussed ways to boost bilateral trade, investment and cultural ties and intensity visits. A third meeting is scheduled in Bahrain by the end of this year.

Talks also focused on the repercussion of the COVID-19 pandemic, efforts to confront them, and the production of the Sputnik vaccine for use in the Middle East and North Africa region.

Two-state solution

On questions regarding Palestine, Dr Al Zayani said Bahrain believes in solving the issue through the two-state solution, thanking Russia for calling to activate the work of the International quartet for peace in the Middle East.

Two invitations to Qatar

He also said that Bahrain had sent two invitations to Qatar to send a team to Bahrain following the Al Ula summit, and the Kingdom is yet to receive a response.

Iran crisis

On the Iran nuclear crisis, he said Bahrain wants the region to remain free of weapons of mass destruction. He pointed out that GCC is aware of the ongoing developments in the talks. The minister called on to end Iran’s destabilising practises in the region, its sponsorship of terrorism, militias and ballistic missile programmes. “Minus all these activities, the Middle East will be a secure and stable place.”