Foreign Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Mohammed Al-Khalifa led his GCC counterparts in a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey V. Lavrov, on the sidelines of the 68th session of the UN General Assembly.
Shaikh Khalid welcomed the Russian minister affirmed long-standing friendship with the Russian Federation, which reflects deep-rooted relations with this friendly country that plays a pivotal role in maintaining global security and peace.
He expressed keen interest in exchanging views with the Russian minister on the fast developments of the Syrian crisis, stressing the importance of reaching a solution that meets the Syrian people’s hopes and aspirations, adding that the destruction of the Syrian arsenal of chemical weapons is a mere part of the comprehensive solution.
Shaikh Khalid affirmed the GCC stance which gives great importance to the pivotal Russian role in reaching a peaceful settlement to the Syrian crisis to avert any further bloodshed, protect Syrian lives and pave the way for broad-based pluralism and political participation.