On August 11, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov had talks with Foreign Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Adel Al-Jubeir, who is in Moscow on a working visit.

The officials had a substantive discussion of the current situation in the Middle East with a focus on the developments in Syria, Yemen and Iraq, and prospects for a Palestine-Israeli settlement.

The ministers stated that Russia and Saudi Arabia have a shared understanding of the need for an early political resolution of the Syrian crisis based on the provisions of the June 30, 2012 Geneva Communique, as well as the growing concern over the possibility of Syria and Iraq turning into breeding grounds for international terrorism. In this context, they underscored the importance of consolidating the efforts of the international community in the interest of effectively countering the increasingly aggressive extremist forces in the Middle East.

During the discussion of the situation in Yemen, the officials noted that the settlement of the armed conflict in the country should be based on the results of the National Dialogue Conference and UN Security Council Resolution 2216. Particular concern was expressed over the deterioration of the humanitarian situation in Yemen, which calls for comprehensive international assistance, including via UN specialised agencies.

Sergey Lavrov and Adel Al-Jubeir analysed in depth the state and prospects for the further strengthening of Russian-Saudi relations. They noted that the agreements reached during a recent visit to Russia of Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud laid the groundwork for closer interaction between the two countries in various fields, including investment, nuclear energy, space research, housing construction and agriculture. In this context, they expressed confidence that political dialogue, designed to promote mutual understanding and multilateral cooperation, will advance in the framework of subsequent Russian-Saudi contacts at various levels.

 

 

August 11, 2015