MANAMA: Mahmood Rafique, Editor: The Kingdom of Bahrain and the Russian Federation are keen to enhance the scope of co-operation in economic, investments and other vital sectors.
This came as the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, held official talks with his Russian Federation counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, on the Russian Minister’s official visit to the Kingdom of Bahrain on Tuesday.
During the meeting, the two sides discussed the historical friendly relations between the two countries and the development and growth they are witnessing in various fields and means of enhancing bilateral cooperation in the economic and investment fields and increasing trade exchange to meet the aspirations and common interests of both countries and peoples.
They also discussed the regional and international political and security situations, the latest developments in the eastern Mediterranean, and the situation in Ukraine.
The two ministers held a press conference in which the Minister of Foreign Affairs made a press statement noting that His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, received in the presence of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Mr. Lavrov, who conveyed to His Majesty the greetings and appreciation of Russian President Vladimir Putin, and his wishes for the Kingdom of Bahrain and its people further growth and prosperity.
The Minister also highlighted that His Majesty the King, and the Russian Foreign Minister discussed during their meeting the latest regional and international developments and challenges, in particular the situation in Ukraine, where His Majesty stressed the importance of resolving the conflict in Ukraine in a way that achieves the interests of the two neighboring countries and the security and stability of the European continent, and on international peace and security, and the need to resort to dialogue and diplomatic solutions, in accordance with the rules of international law, in order to reach a political settlement that ends the conflict, guarantees security and peace for all parties, preserves the lives of civilians, and delivers humanitarian and relief aid to refugees and displaced persons.
He added that His Majesty the King, expressed during the meeting the Kingdom of Bahrain’s pride in the historical friendship relations with the Russian Federation, and its keenness to develop various aspects of bilateral cooperation and joint coordination to achieve the common interests of the two friendly countries and peoples.
The Minister also noted that His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, received Mr. Lavrov, and discussed joint cooperation relations and opportunities for the development of bilateral cooperation, in addition to the current regional and international issues, developments in the situation in Ukraine and efforts made for a ceasefire and a political settlement.
During the meeting, it was emphasized the importance of continuing efforts to explore areas of enhancing cooperation in all economic, commercial and investment fields, leading to increased trade exchange and development of joint cooperation.
He added that he discussed with the Russian Minister the course of bilateral cooperation relations between the two countries, and ways to enhance and advance it to broader areas, where the importance of expanding cooperation and joint coordination was emphasized in a way that contributes to the development of mutual interests.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs highlighted that the two sides discussed regional and international developments and issues of common concern, including the Palestinian issue, Yemen, Syria, regional security, and the Iranian nuclear file.
He further emphasized the importance of continuing international efforts to achieve security and stability in the Middle East, in particular towards pushing the peace process in the Middle East to resolve the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, and the establishment of a Palestinian state in accordance with the two-state solution and resolutions of international legitimacy.
He added that the two sides discussed developments in the situation in Ukraine and developments in efforts aimed at continuing bilateral negotiations between the Russian Federation and Ukraine to reach a ceasefire and a political settlement that ends the conflict and restores security and peace to the European continent.
The Minister said that he affirmed the position of the Kingdom of Bahrain calling for diplomatic solutions and the resumption of negotiations between the two parties, and the need to establish security, stability and lasting and comprehensive peace in Ukraine and the European continent to achieve growth and prosperity for the benefit of their peoples, and the necessity of opening safe passages for civilians and providing them with protection, and the delivery of humanitarian and relief aid to refugees and displaced persons.
Mr. Lavrov expressed his pride and appreciation for the meeting that took place with His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, and the constructive talks with His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, during which the distinguished bilateral relations between Bahrain and Russia were reviewed and the continuous development and growth they are witnessing at all levels for the benefit of the two friendly countries.
The Russian Minister noted that the official talks held with his Bahraini counterpart were constructive, during which they discussed the growing bilateral relations in various economic, cultural, educational and investment fields. They also discussed the situation in Ukraine and the current security situation, the armistice in Yemen, the situation in Palestine, and the Iranian nuclear program, praising the role of the Kingdom of Bahrain and its efforts in supporting peace and stability in the region, praising the Kingdom’s neutral stance on the crisis in Ukraine, and its keenness to establish peace and security in the European continent.
He also expressed his aspiration to increase aspects of bilateral cooperation and coordination and for further development and growth in future projects between the two countries, expressing his satisfaction with the efforts made by the two countries to increase prospects for investment cooperation between them, praising the ambitious plans to increase cultural cooperation, which will contribute to developing relations between the two friendly countries.
