PRESS RELEASE

A meeting took place on May 27 between Andrei Denisov, First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, and Abdul Aziz Abdul Ghani, Chairman of the Consultative Republic of the Republic of Yemen.

During the exchange of views on global and regional problems it was noted that Russia and Yemen stand for stepping up international efforts in the interests of forming a multipolar world, resolving existing conflicts by political means and eradicating extremism and terrorism in any forms and manifestations.

In the context of examining the situation in the Middle East the commitment to a comprehensive Arab-Israeli settlement on the basis of the relevant UN Security Council resolutions, the Madrid principles and the Arab peace initiative was reaffirmed and the necessity of restoring Palestinian unity was emphasized. The sides spoke for promptly overcoming the domestic political crisis in Lebanon on the basis of the inter-Lebanese accords reached at Doha and for a settlement in Iraq by achieving national consensus via comprehensive dialogue. Concern was expressed over the developments in the situation surrounding Iran, and it was pointed out that there is no alternative to the politico-diplomatic way of solving the problem of the Iranian nuclear program.

In discussing themes linked to bilateral relations, the interlocutors expressed satisfaction with the high level of political understanding between Russia and Yemen and accentuated the necessity of intensifying economic and commercial cooperation.

May 27, 2008