Final Declaration The Fifth Session of the Russian-Arab Cooperation Forum at the level of Foreign Ministers Moscow, Russian Federation, 16/04/2019

The Fifth Session of the Russian-Arab Cooperation Forum was convened at the level of Foreign Ministers, on 16/04/2019 in Moscow, the Russian Federation. The meeting was headed by H.E. Mr. Sergei Lavrov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation (host country), H.E. Mr. Ahmed Isse Awad, Minister of Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation of the Federal Republic of Somalia (current Presidency of LAS Council at Ministerial level), with the participation of H.E. Mr. Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Secretary General of the League of Arab States, and the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Heads of Delegations of the Arab States.

The Ministers reviewed the outcome of the Fourth Session of the Russian-Arab Cooperation Forum, convened on 1 February 2017 in Abu Dhabi and the Action Plan 2016-2018 that aims at the implementation of the Forum's principles and objectives; emphasized the importance of the existing dialogue and cooperation between both sides; and spoke in favor of consolidation of efforts of all states in order to strengthen global stability in all its aspects as the foundation for the lasting peace based on the principle of equal and undiminished security for all. Emphasize the need to strengthen political dialogue aimed at coordinating mutual stances in international forums, within the framework of respecting principles of international law and international legitimacy, relevant principles and purposes of the United Nations Charter; and the pivotal role of the United Nations,  particularly the Security Council, to resolve disputes and safeguard regional and international peace and security; affirm commitment to the promotion and respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms, taking into consideration the importance of national and regional particularities and various historical, cultural and religious backgrounds; as well as stress the need for complete respect for the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of countries, and the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs and good-neighborly relations; and call for settlement of outstanding issues and crises through peaceful means and comprehensive dialogue.

The Ministers also discussed the latest developments in the Middle East and the entire region, as well as a number of relentless international issues of mutual concern; bilateral and multilateral relations pertaining to political, economic and cultural issues between Member States of the League of Arab States and the Russian Federation in order to strengthen these relations, enhance cooperation and build tangible partnership between both sides. The ministers agreed on the following:

I. Regional and International Issues

1. Palestinian Question

1. Reaffirm the commitment to achieve just, lasting and comprehensive peace in the Middle East in conformity with the two-State solution, the relevant United Nations resolutions, including Security Council Resolutions 242 (1967), 338 (1973) and 1515 (2003), the Madrid terms of reference, including the principle of land for peace, and the Arab Peace Initiative of 2002 with  all its elements, and to exert collective efforts to launch a credible peace process, leading to an end within specific timeframe to the Israeli occupation of all Palestinian and Arab territories that began in1967. In this context, reaffirm the support to the peace plan presented by H.E. President Mahmoud Abbas, President of the State of Palestine, to the Security Council on 20 February 2018, and reject any deal that is incompatible with the above-mentioned international references to the peace process.
2. Stress the importance of the respect for the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, in accordance with international resolutions, particularly the right to return, right to self-determination, and the establishment of the independent State of Palestine within the pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, and support Palestine in obtaining full membership in the United Nations. Demand that Israel cease all measures contrary to International Law as well as discriminatory legislation policies and actions in the occupied Palestinian territories that violate the human rights of the Palestinian people, including the killing and injury of civilians, the arbitrary detention and imprisonment of civilians.
3. Emphasize that continuing policy of settlement construction and expansion in the Occupied Palestinian territory constitutes a flagrant violation of the international law and a major obstacle to the achievement of the two-State solution. Stress the importance of creation of an appropriate mechanism for the implementation of the Security Council Resolution 2334 (2016), which demands that Israel immediately and completely cease all settlement activities in the Occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem, and underline that the international community will not recognize any changes to the June 4th, 1967 borders, including with regard to Jerusalem, except for those changes agreed by both parties through negotiations. Call upon Israel to cease the demolition of the village of Khan al-Ahmar in the occupied West Bank for this act constitutes the violation of the international law, particularly the fourth Geneva Convention 1949.
4. Condemn any measures aimed at undermining the status of Jerusalem, established by International Law, including Security Council Resolutions 476 and 478. Reject the United States and Guatemala's decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, and the transfer of their embassies to it. Express deep concern regarding Hungary and Brazil’s decisions to open a trade office with diplomatic status in Jerusalem. Call upon all states not to establish diplomatic missions in the city of Jerusalem in compliance with Security Council Resolution 478 (1980) and to comply with the General Assembly Resolution A/RES/ES-10/19 (2017) stressing that Jerusalem is one of the final status issues to be resolved through negotiations in line with relevant United Nations resolutions and affirming that any Israeli decisions and actions  purported to alter the character, status or demographic composition of the Holy City of Jerusalem have no legal effect, are null and void and must be rescinded in compliance with relevant resolutions of the Security Council.
5. Emphasize the right of the State of Palestine to sovereignty over East of Jerusalem. Strongly urge Israel to respect the legal and historic status quo of Jerusalem and its Islamic and Christian holy sites, including Al-Aqsa Mosque/Al-Haram Al-Sharif. Warn against any attempts to divide it. Recall the importance of the implementation of UNESCO Executive Board Decision No. 199EX133. Value the pivotal role of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan in defending the Islamic and Christian Holy city of Jerusalem and support the steadfastness of its people and its historic Hashemite Custodianship of the holy sites as reiterated in the agreement signed on 21 March 2013 between His Majesty King Abdullah II, the King of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, and His Excellency Mahmoud Abbas, the President of the State of Palestine, support the role of the Jordanian Administration of Jerusalem’s Awqaf and Al-Aqsa Mosque Affairs, as the sole recognized and legal authority of the Holy Site, and commend the role of the Jerusalem Committee headed by His Majesty King Mohammed VI, King of the Kingdom of Morocco. Commend the joint signing of H.M. King Mohamed VI, King of the Kingdom of Morocco, and His Holiness Pope Francis, Pope of Vatican, on the proclamation “Al-Quds Call”, issued on Saturday 30 March 2019 in Rabat, aimed at preserving and enhancing the special character of Al-Quds as a multi-faith city, with its spiritual dimension and unique identity.
6. Condemn any excessive disproportionate and indiscriminate use of force, including live ammunition, by Israel -the occupying power- against civilians and peaceful protesters in the Gaza Strip. Urge the implementation of the General Assembly resolution A/RES/ES-10/20 (2018) on the protection of the Palestinian civilian population. Stress the importance of the report of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry dated 28 February 2019, mandated by the UN Human Rights Council to investigate the events of the Great March of Return in Gaza, which concluded that Israeli soldiers committed violations that may constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity. Stress on the implementation of the recommendations of the commission.
7. Condemn the Israeli aggressions and blockade on the Gaza Strip, which resulted in dramatic deterioration of the economic and humanitarian situation. Demand Israel to immediately lift all restrictions imposed on the Gaza Strip, including impediments to the economic development, basic service delivery, reconstruction process, and to put an end to the violations of the rights of its population. Encourage the international community to accelerate its efforts to address the dire humanitarian, reconstruction and recovery needs of the people in Gaza.
8. Welcome the growing efforts of the Russian Federation, as the initial co-sponsor of the Middle East peace process that began in Madrid in 1991 and the Quartet member, aiming at creating conditions for the resumption of credible negotiations between Palestine and Israel that resolve all final status issues, as well as promoting opportunities of establishing a just, lasting and comprehensive peace in the region, including the effective invitation to a summit in Moscow between leaders of Palestine and Israel, extended by H.E. Vladimir Putin, the President of the Russian Federation, in 2016.
9. Emphasize the importance of achieving the Palestinian National Reconciliation on the basis of the platform of the PLO the sole and legitimate the representative of the Palestinian people. Support the Egyptian efforts in this regard. Commend the Russian efforts in this regard, particularly the 3rd meeting of the high representatives of the key Palestinian movements, parties and personalities which was convened on 11-13 February 2019 in Moscow and the incessant Russian-Arab coordination on endorsing all aspects relating to the question of Palestine and its resolutions in international fora.
10. Remind that the cause of refugees is the final status issue to be resolved through negotiations between Palestine and Israel in line with relevant United Nations resolutions, including 194 (1948). Confirm deep regret on the United States decision to stop funding UNRWA, express grave concern about attempts to discredit the Agency and call on States and organizations not currently contributing to the Agency to urgently consider making voluntary contributions and also call upon States and organizations to maintain their voluntary contributions to the Agency as well as increase them where possible.

1.  The occupied Syrian Golan

1. Strongly reject the United States decision to recognize the occupied Syrian Golan as Israeli territory. Emphasize that this decision constitutes a serious violation of the Charter of the United Nations, international law, primarily the principle of territorial integrity, the relevant United Nations resolutions, including Security Council resolutions 242 (1967) and 497 (1981), as well as a grave deviation from the Madrid principle of land for peace and the Arab peace initiative of 2002. Reaffirm and acknowledge Lebanese sovereignty over Shebaa farms, Al-Ghajar village and Kfar Shuba Hills.
2. Express deep concern on the negative effect of the decision on stability and security in the Middle East, in particular the viability of the Agreement on Disengagement between Israeli and Syrian forces of 1974 and operations of UNDOF.
3. Call upon the United States to reverse its decision and abide by the above-mentioned international terms of reference.      

1. Counter-Terrorism

1. Reiterate respect to the sovereignty, independence and equality among all states; recognize that states and their competent bodies must play a leading role in eradicating and combating terrorism, at both national and international levels.
2. Condemn totally terrorism in all its forms and manifestations committed by whomsoever, wherever and for whatever purposes, reaffirming that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable regardless of their motivation; express determination to combat its acts, eradicate conditions conducive to terrorism, internal as well as external, and dry out its financial and ideological sources.
3. Affirm that terrorism cannot and should not be associated with any religion, nationality or civilization; and underline the importance of promoting dialogue, tolerance and understanding among civilizations, cultures, peoples and religions.
4. Urge Member States to refrain from providing any form of support, direct or indirect, to entities or persons involved in terrorist acts including all ways of terrorist financing and arming.
5. Reaffirm the need to counter terrorism by all means in a decisive, unified, coordinated, inclusive and transparent manner, without double standards and in strict accordance with the principles of the Charter of the United Nations and international law, while underscoring the leading coordinating role of the United Nations in these efforts.
6. Stress that terrorism can only be defeated by a sustainable and comprehensive approach involving the active participation and collaboration of all States and relevant international and regional organizations to impede, impair, isolate and incapacitate the terrorist threat through the full implementation of all relevant United Nations Security Council Resolutions.
7. Support the initiative put forward by President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin in his address to the 70^th UN General Assembly in 2015 to establish an international counterterrorism coalition acting on the basis of international law, the UN Charter and without double standards while respecting the sovereignty of states directly affected by terrorist attacks.
8. Take note of the importance of the Code of Conduct Towards Achieving a World Free of Terrorism signed on 28 September 2018, aimed at spearheading efforts to build a united front against terrorism, acting in accordance with the international law, in a decisive, unified, coordinated, inclusive, accountable and transparent manner.
9. Voice support for the work of the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism which aims at more effective coordination of UN efforts and resources in the sphere of preventing and countering terrorism.
10. Reiterate support for the UN Counter-Terrorism Centre established by the UN General Assembly Resolution 66/10 (2011) and note financial contributions to its budget.
11. Support and affirm the need to launch multilateral negotiations on an international convention for the suppression of chemical and biological terrorist acts within the framework of the Conference on Disarmament.
12. Condemn unequivocally all terrorist acts in all forms and manifestations, including indiscriminate killing, and deliberate targeting of civilians, numerous atrocities, persecutions of individuals and communities, inter-alia on the basis of their religion or belief, by terrorist organizations, in particular Da’esh, Al-Qaida, Al-Nusra Front and other terrorist organizations.
13. Stress the fundamental principle of the inviolability of diplomatic agents and consular officers and obligations, including under the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and the 1963 Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, to take all appropriate steps to prevent any attack on diplomatic and consular agents.
14. Emphasize the need for advanced international cooperation to prevent terrorists and their supporters from exploiting information and communications technologies, especially the Internet and other media, to incite support for their terrorist acts, to finance, plan and prepare their activities, and call for development of mechanisms for addressing websites relevant to terrorist organizations and to take the necessary measures and procedures to combat financing terrorist organizations and the movement of foreign terrorists to join terrorist organizations; spread of terrorist narratives and call for coordination to take the necessary legal measures to monitor and prevent access to terrorist content online, social networks inciting hatred, racism and extremism; as ways to curtail recruitment of terrorists, including foreign terrorist fighters.
15. Commitment to the full implementation of the UN Counter Terrorism strategy and all relevant UN resolutions. Express concern at the flow of foreign terrorist fighters to terrorist organizations in particular Da’esh, Al-Qaeda and associated groups as well as their return to the countries of origin or other countries and the scale of this phenomenon; reiterate the common will to effectively prevent and combat extremism and recruitment of foreign terrorist fighters and their activity in the country to which they return or relocate.
16. Emphasize the importance of strengthening cooperation in criminal matters related to terrorism as terrorists can benefit from transnational organized crime, including the trafficking in arms, persons, drugs and cultural property, illicit trade in natural resources, as well as from kidnapping for ransom and other crimes and the need to present the perpetrator of a terrorist act to justice and accountability on the basis of the principle “extradite or prosecute”.

1. Syria

1. Emphasize their strong and continued commitment to the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of the Syrian Arab Republic as well as to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. Condemn all practices that threaten the territorial integrity of Syria and stress the need to end all foreign military presence in Syria which violates International Law, in particular UNSC Resolution 2254.
2. Underscore the need to accomplish the goal of ultimate elimination of Da’esh, Jabhat Al-Nusra, and all other individuals, groups, undertakings and entities associated with Al-Qaeda or Da’esh or other terrorist groups, as designated by the UN Security Council.
3. Welcome the efforts exerted by the Russian Federation in order to find a political settlement in Syria, including the efforts exerted to stabilize the ceasefire and the military de-escalation zones in the framework of the Astana talks, as well as addressing humanitarian needs, that played an important role in the cessation of hostilities and creating necessary conditions for advancing the political process.
4. Reaffirm the conviction that there could be no military solution to the Syrian conflict and that it could only be resolved through the Syrian-led and Syrian-owned, UN-facilitated political process in line with the UN Security Council Resolution 2254 and the Geneva (1) communique.
5. Express their support to the efforts exerted by the Special Envoy of the United Nations Secretary General for Syria to facilitate the establishment and launching of the Constitutional Committee in coordination with the Syrian parties, taking into account the outcome of the Astana process.
6. Underline the importance of the confidence-building measures between the Syrian parties. Welcome the realization of the mutual releases of detainees, which took place on 24 November 2018 and 12 February 2019 within the framework of efforts of the respective Working Group of the Astana format.
7. Emphasize the need to support all efforts to help all Syrians restore their normal and peaceful life and to alleviate their sufferings. In this regard, call upon the international community, particularly the United Nations and international humanitarian agencies to contribute to the post-conflict recovery and reconstruction of Syria, and at this end to increase assistance without political preconditions to those in need in Syria by providing additional humanitarian aid, facilitating humanitarian mine action, restoring basic infrastructure assets, including social and economic facilities, preserving historical heritage.
8. Stress the importance of creating conditions for the safe, dignified and voluntary return of refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) to their original places of residence in Syria. Highlight the interaction among all relevant parties, including the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and call upon them to support the Syrian refugees and IDPs who have decided to return, including through restoring humanitarian infrastructure such as water, electricity, health and social services and facilities.
9. Support the efforts exerted by the United Nations’ agencies to alleviate the humanitarian suffering of the Syrian people; call upon countries and donors to fulfill their commitments in accordance with the principles of international humanitarian law.
10. Affirm with appreciation the role of Jordan, Lebanon, Sudan, Iraq, and Egypt in bearing the burdens of hosting the Syrian refugees and stress the importance of International support to their efforts in this regard. Affirm that the only solution to the refugee crisis lies in their safe return to their homeland.

1. Libya

1. Affirm strong commitment to the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the State of Libya, and non-interference in its internal affairs. Express grave concern regarding the security challenges and terrorist threats that Libya is facing and support its efforts to combat these challenges and threats. Call for pursuing a political solution through Libyan-owned and Libyan-led dialogue and national reconciliation and affirm support to the implementation of the Libyan political agreement signed in Skhirat in the Kingdom of Morocco, and reject the military solution.
2. Express deep concern at military activity near Tripoli which risks Libyan stability and prospects for UN mediation and a comprehensive political solution to the crisis, and call upon all parties to refrain from military escalation and reach a cease fire agreement to restore the political process under the auspices of the United Nations.

6. Yemen

1. Emphasize commitment to the unity, sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Yemen; support the aspirations of the Yemeni people for freedom, democracy, social justice and development and affirm their support to the legitimate government led by President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi;  insist on the urgent need to restore the legitimate authority of the state through the achievement of a sustainable political settlement, in accordance with the three agreed terms of reference:, the GCC Initiative and its Implementation Mechanisms, the outcomes of the comprehensive National Dialogue, the UNSC resolutions, in particular resolution 2216, and in accordance with the international law and the UN Charter. Express support to the efforts exerted by the United Nations and its Secretary-General Special Envoy for Yemen Martin Griffiths.
2. Welcome the Stockholm agreement reached by the government and the Houthis during their consultations in Sweden in December 2018, which led to agreements and understandings in accordance with UNSC resolutions 2451 and 2452, and call for the full practical implementation of the Stockholm Agreement as a primary and a necessary step to resume the political settlement which aims at establishing a lasting peace in Yemen.
3. Call on facilitating the flow of humanitarian assistance and its delivery to all those in need throughout Yemen and not obstruct the work of the Humanitarian organizations’ personnel and call for assistance in confronting the risks of the spread of epidemics and diseases, end child recruitment  and undertake measures to put an end to it, condemn mine-laying and call for assistance to remove it.
4. Express support for the efforts of the Yemeni government to combat terrorist organizations, extremism and radicalism.

7. Lebanon

1. Affirm commitment to the unity, independence, territorial integrity of Lebanon and to its stability to maintain its role as a model of moderation and coexistence in the region. Express support for Lebanon’s initiative to establish the “Human Academy for Encounter and Dialogue” in Lebanon.
2. Express grave concern regarding the Israeli repeated pattern of violations of the sovereignty of the Lebanese territory, airspace and maritime borders, which amounted to 2034 violations during the year 2018. In this regard, call on all parties to fully abide by the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701, and commend the role of the Lebanese Armed Forces in maintaining stability in South Lebanon in close cooperation with UNIFIL, and its role in combating and preventing terrorism.
3. Stress the need to continue to support Lebanon politically and economically through the International Support Group and other support formats, such as the conferences held in 2018: Rome II Conference in support of the Lebanese army and armed forces, Cedar Conference to support the Lebanese economy and Brussels Conference on supporting the Future of Syria and the region.
4. Express deep concern over the exceptional situation resulting from Lebanon hosting of nearly 2 million refugees and displaced persons, which constitutes a heavy burden on Lebanon’s stability, economy, security and social fabric. Stress that the only sustainable long-term solution for the crisis of Syrian displacement in Lebanon lies in the phased, safe and dignified return of displaced persons to Syria. Also stress the need to help internally displaced persons in Syria and securing necessary requirements for their return, instead of helping them stay in Lebanon and host societies. Call on donors to join efforts to mitigate this crisis according to the principle of burden sharing.

8. Iraq^([*])

1. Reaffirm full commitment to the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Iraq; underline the importance of non-interference in its internal affairs; reject any intervention or military presence of Turkish forces in Iraq, and express hope to resolve all outstanding issues through dialogue between the two countries through political and diplomatic channels and consider future prospect for strategic relations and common interest.
2. Condemn all terrorist atrocious crimes and violation to the basic rights of all Iraqi citizens perpetrated by Da’esh terrorist gangs and their destruction of the cultural heritage and worship and archeological sites.  Call to bring those responsible for these offenses to national justice, and affirm commitment to United Nations Security Council Resolutions that oblige all countries to cooperate in combating Da’esh terrorist gangs and to refrain from providing them with any kind of support.
3. Commend the victories achieved by all factions of the Iraqi armed forces in the liberated areas from Da’esh terrorist gangs. Urge international community to provide every support to Iraq in continuation of its fight against terrorism.
4. Emphasize commitment to support Iraq through the provision of humanitarian aid in general and to the displaced persons affected by terrorist operations in particular; and to achieve stability, at the short and medium term, in areas liberated from Da’esh terrorist gangs. Support the efforts of the Iraqi government in the reconstruction of Iraq in general and in areas liberated from the Da’esh terrorist gangs in particular. Call upon and encourage Arab and Russian companies to invest in Iraq in all fields.
5. Commend the efforts exerted by the Iraqi government in maintaining national unity among Iraqi people and achievement of inclusiveness and reconciliation at the national level; and stress that all Iraqi constituents are an integral part of Iraq and that the provision of protection for them is a priority of the Iraqi government.
6. Call to support the Iraqi government in its counterterrorism efforts through intensifying security and intelligence cooperation and exchange of information on terrorist cells, as well as providing all forms of support to the Iraqi government in its fight against remnants of Da’esh terrorist gangs until final liquidation of these terrorist groups on Iraqi territory.

9. Sudan

1. Affirm support and solidarity with the efforts undertaken by the Transitional Military Council and all political and civil forces to realize the aspirations and objectives of the Sudanese people related to peace, security, stability, national consensus, comprehensive democratic transformation, building state institutions and achieve equitable socio-economic development.
2. Welcome the US administration’s decision to lift the economic sanctions imposed on Sudan since 1997. Affirm that this decision will have a positive impact on the economic situation in Sudan, and will support the reconstruction, development and stabilizing efforts carried out throughout the country, including the success of food security initiatives. Also call to remove Sudan from the list of State Sponsors Terrorism” (SST) in line with the decision taken to lift the sanctions which entailed that Sudan has fulfilled its obligations, especially the aspect related to its cooperation in the field of countering-terrorism.
3. Express support for the UNSC Resolutions 2363 (2017) and 2429 (2018) to downsize the joint United Nations - African Union Mission (UNAMID) with the goal towards the exit of the Mission by 2020 and support for the Sudan’s government request to allocate more resources to support the development plan and promote stability, security and peace in Darfur.
4. Welcome the Sudanese government’s decision on the collection of weapons throughout the Sudan, considering that it represents an advanced step towards enhancing peace, security and stability in the region. Commend the efforts of the Government of the Sudan to reach a peace agreement between the parties in South Sudan and Central African Republic.
5. Call for facilitating the process of the debt burden relief, and benefit from the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries Initiative (HIPC).

10. Somalia

1. Affirm support for the unity and sovereignty of the Federal Republic of Somalia and its territorial integrity. Welcome the progress achieved in the political process and national reconciliation in Somalia, and support the efforts exerted by the Somali Government to maintain peace and security and the establishment of good momentum for the peace process.
2. Affirm that the international community must support the Somali Government purposefully to maintain the stability of the country and to strengthen its ability to establish self-capacity in order to achieve social and economic development and reconstruction of the country. Support peacekeeping operations and the assistance provided by the United Nations and the African Union Mission in Somalia, which remains a key security component.
3. Agree that the international community should assist in efforts to eradicate poverty and also support the Somali government in the fight against terrorism, extremist ideology, and terrorist movements and organizations.

11. Iran

1. Emphasize the importance of establishing relations between Arab States and the Islamic Republic of Iran on the basis of the principles of good-neighborliness, refrain from the use of force, non-interference in internal affairs, respect of independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, resolve all disputes through peaceful means, according to the United Nations Charter and international law; recognize that de-escalating tensions and rebuilding confidence would promote security and stability in the region.
2. Stress on the importance of the Gulf Cooperation Council initiative conveyed in the message of His Highness the Emir of Kuwait to the Iranian President, calling for a positive engagement with this initiative to enhance peace and security in the region.
3. Bear in mind positive potential of the Russian concept of security and confidence-building measures for the Arabian Gulf.

12. Greater and the Lesser Tunb and Abu Musa

Express concern over the lack of progress between the United Arab Emirates and the Islamic Republic of Iran over the three islands (Greater and the Lesser Tunb and Abu Musa); and affirm the support to reach a peaceful solution to the dispute in accordance with international law and the Charter of the United Nations, including direct negotiations between the two parties.

13. NPT

1. Affirm the importance of the 50-th anniversary of the Treaty on Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) opening for signature.  The NPT is the cornerstone of the international nuclear nonproliferation regime. All its three pillars –nuclear disarmament, non-proliferation and peaceful use of nuclear energy– remain important and relevant.
2. Agree on the importance of cooperation for the success of the 2020 NPT Review Conference, including at the third session of the Preparatory Committee in 2019.
3. Agree on the importance of implementing the Resolution on the Middle East adopted by the 1995 Review and Extension Conference of the Parties to the NPT. This resolution is still in force until its goals and objectives are achieved, and emphasize the outcomes of the 2000 and 2010 Review Conferences.
4. Welcome General Assembly Decision A/73/546, titled Convening a conference on the establishment of a Middle East zone free of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction.
5. Emphasize the importance of the universality of the NPT. Urging Israel to accede to the Treaty as a non-nuclear-weapon state and to subject all its nuclear facilities to the comprehensive safeguards of the International Atomic Energy Agency.

II.      Economic, Social and Cultural Issues

14. Call upon the Arab States and the Russian Federation to implement the Joint Plan of Action 2019-2021, with the aim to carry out the principles, goals and objectives of the Arab-Russian Cooperation Forum, therefore, the Joint High Officials Committee is entrusted with monitoring the implementation of the Plan of Action in addition to progress reports to evaluate the achievements thereof.
15. Stress the need to strengthen mutual cooperation and benefit from the Russian achievements in scientific research through conducting seminars and workshops thereof; and emphasize the importance of cooperation in the fields of human resources, science and technology for economic growth.
16. Commend the increase in economic cooperation between Member States of the League of Arab States and the Russian Federation; enhance bilateral trade and promote mutually beneficial cooperation in the areas of industry, agriculture, food security, water resources, banking and finance, oil and gas, renewable and clean energy, as well as peaceful use of nuclear energy, transport, tourism, communications, and intellectual property rights, in addition to cooperation in various areas, such as environment, technology transfer and so on.
17. Emphasize the importance of the development of agricultural cooperation between Member States of the League of Arab States and the Russian Federation; call upon officials and business communities to support and strengthen cooperation through convening workshops between experts from both sides, on enhancing agricultural cooperation.
18. Emphasize the importance of developing touristic ties between the Russian Federation and Member States of the League of Arab States and the need to further enhance cooperation among relevant organizations and agencies and for sustained efforts on all levels to promote tourism; and exert efforts to remove any obstacles to touristic cooperation between both sides.
19. Call to further cooperation in the field of education, including through enhancement of ties among universities and other higher education institutions, participation in international scientific and cultural meetings to take place in Arab States and the Russian Federation; recall the importance of the development of scientific and technical cooperation between the two sides, as well as cooperation in the field of space science and technology, including the exchange of experiences, visits, joint scientific researches and technological projects between universities and research centres of both sides; and emphasize that the Global 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development constitutes an effective framework for coordination and cooperation.
20. Continue to be involved in dialogue between civilizations and cultures, to encourage interreligious communications holding to the belief that better understanding and mutual support as well as the common quest for renewed ideas and practices to maintain harmonious co-existence and interaction among various nations and peoples are indispensable to prevent the breaches of peace, security and justice and to confront religious and nationalist extremism, racism, neo-fascism and ethnical or religious discrimination. Welcome, in this context, the declaration of the Kingdom of Bahrain regarding the inauguration of the “King Hamad International Center for Peaceful Coexistence” in March 2018, which reflects, in its vision, mission and objectives, the openness to all civilizations, religions and cultures, and promote the values of coexistence and peace.
21. Exert efforts to enhance cultural cooperation, including promotion of relations between relevant organizations of the Russian Federation and Member States of the League of Arab States, convene festivals, fairs and exhibitions on a reciprocal basis.
22. Express gratitude and appreciation to the Russian Federation for its cordial hosting of the Fifth Session of the Arab-Russian Cooperation Forum, warm reception, generous hospitality and good organization of this Session.
23. Convene the Sixth Session of the Forum during 2020 in Marrakesh.