TRANSCRIPT OF MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION IGOR IVANOV REMARKS AT JOINT PRESS CONFERENCE WITH MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF SAUDI ARABIA SAUD AL-FAYSAL FOLLOWING THE TALKS HELD ON SEPTEMBER 3, 2003
Unofficial translation from Russian
Foreign Minister Ivanov: We paid the main attention to questions of implementation of the major agreements that were reached in the course of yesterday's talks between President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin and Crown Prince Abdullah of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
These talks have opened a new chapter in our relations, characterized by constructive cooperation in the spirit of frankness and mutual trust. It was in the spirit of frankness and mutual trust that we today examined the question of further steps to develop Russian-Saudi relations, and exchanged views on such major international problems as the fight against international terrorism and resolving the situation in the Middle East and around Iraq.
We shall continue joint work on strengthening and developing the juridical base of our bilateral relations. A package of new treaties and agreements in the trade-and-economic field is being prepared; in particular, for the avoidance of double taxation and for the support of mutual investment.
Our countries share the opinion about the necessity to step up the fight against international terrorism both on a bilateral level and within the framework of multilateral mechanisms. Toward this aim we intend to establish a bilateral working group which will be concerned with the whole range of issues in counteraction against international terrorism and in the coordination of our efforts in this direction. As to a settlement in the Middle East, we consider that it is necessary to make every effort now to continue the implementation of the provisions of the Road Map, which was presented by the Quartet of international mediators. For this purpose the speediest possible resumption of an Israeli-Palestinian dialogue is necessary.
In questions of resolving the situation around Iraq our positions are also very close. We consider that it is necessary to respect the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Iraq. It is necessary to work out a plan for the reconstruction of Iraq and for the complete transfer of power in the country to lawfully elected bodies of authority. The international community under the aegis of the United Nations should render in this matter all the necessary assistance to the Iraqi people. I would like to sincerely thank His Highness for the constructive and frank dialogue.
Question: Your meeting wasn't provided for earlier. Why did it take place?
Answer: We always use any chance to meet, and generally maintain a continual dialogue. Hence there is nothing surprising in that today we held regular talks. We agreed in the near future to maintain telephone contacts as well. Our next meeting will take place in the course of the session of the UN General Assembly this September in New York.
Question: How could you comment on the statement of Yasser Arafat that the Road Map, as the result of the actions of Israeli troops, can be forgotten? Will the introduction of international disengagement forces help to resolve the situation?
Answer: As to Middle East settlement, in particular, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the situation, unfortunately, is by far more complicated, and by sanctions alone nothing can be solved. We are therefore steering a course more difficult, but more reliable from the viewpoint of settlement prospects. The proposals worked out by us and our colleagues found reflection in the Road Map. We hold that the Road Map has opened the way for settlement and for the creation of a Palestinian state and that's why we firmly stand for the realization of this Road Map.
I won't comment on the other statements. Once again I shall say about the position of the Russian Federation. We feel that the Road Map is a unique and, perhaps, the sole possibility at present to find a way out of the crisis and to arrive at agreements, at a settlement which would fully meet the interests of both the Israeli and Palestinian peoples and which would create conditions for their life in a secure world.
Regarding the second part of the question: this proposal merits attention. We are ready to consider it subject to the consent of both the conflicting parties.
September 3, 2003
