Joint Statement of the 6th Russia - GCC Joint Ministerial Meeting for Strategic Dialogue
Moscow 10 July, 2023
The sixth Russia-GCC Ministerial meeting for Strategic Dialogue took place in Moscow, on 10 July, 2023. The Russian side was headed by H.E. Mr. Sergey Lavrov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and the delegation of the Gulf Cooperation Council was headed by H.E. Sayyid Badr Albusaidi, Foreign Minister of Oman, Chairman of the current session of the GCC Ministerial Council, with participation of their Highnesses and Excellencies, the Foreign Ministers of the GCC states, in addition to H.E. Mr. Jasem Albudaiwi, the GCC Secretary-General.
The Ministers stressed the importance of the strategic dialogue between Russia and the GCC in achieving common interests and strengthening relations of friendship, mutual trust, and cooperation between the two sides. They emphasized the significant role their states play in supporting the global economy, stabilizing energy markets, and fostering prosperity.
The Ministers discussed several regional and international issues, as follows:
The Ministers reaffirmed the importance of collective efforts to achieve global peace, security, stability, and prosperity. They emphasized the priority of international peace and security, highlighting the significance of mutual respect and cooperation among states for development and progress. They stressed the need to adhere to the principles of international law, international humanitarian law, and the Charter of the United Nations. They underscored the importance of promoting good neighborliness and preserving the international system based on respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and political independence of states; non-interference in their internal affairs; and the non-use or threat of force. Confronting challenges and crises through peaceful means, dialogue, and resolving conflicts through negotiations.
The Ministers welcomed the mediation efforts by the GCC States and other countries, aimed at creating conditions for a political resolution of the crisis in Ukraine in accordance with international law and the Charter of the United Nations, and expressed hope that such efforts would lead to a fair, comprehensive and sustainable peace, security and stability in the region.
The Ministers affirmed the importance of unimpeded access of food and fertilizers to the global markets as well as humanitarian aid, thereby contributing to the food security of the affected countries.
The Ministers condemned terrorism, irrespective of its source, and expressed their rejection of all its forms, motives, and justifications. They stressed the importance of countering the spread of terrorist ideology and extremism, including on the Internet, and working to drain sources of terrorist financing and their determination to strengthen regional and international efforts to combat terrorism and extremism. Furthermore, they emphasized the need to prevent the financing, arming, and recruitment of terrorist groups by individuals and entities, as well as to address all activities that threaten the security and stability of the region.
The Ministers welcomed the agreement reached between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Islamic Republic of Iran mediated by the Sultanate of Oman, the Republic of Iraq and the People's Republic of China, which includes the resumption of diplomatic relations between the two countries. They expressed hope that this agreement would constitute a positive step towards resolving differences and ending all regional conflicts through dialogue and diplomatic means. Furthermore, they emphasized the importance of establishing relations between countries based on understanding, mutual respect, good neighborliness, respect for sovereignty, non-interference in internal affairs, and adherence to the Charter of the United Nations, and international laws and norms.
The Ministers emphasized their support for de-escalation and confidence-building measures among regional countries in order to promote and ensure security in this strategically important region of the world.
The Ministers stressed that tolerance and peaceful coexistence are among the most important values and principles for relations between nations and societies.
In this regard, the Ministers welcomed the adoption of Security Council resolution 2686, by which the Council recognized that hate speech, racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, related forms of intolerance, gender discrimination, and acts of extremism can contribute to driving the outbreak, escalation and recurrence of conflict.
The Ministers stressed the importance of preserving maritime security and the security of waterways in the region, and addressing threats to shipping lanes, international trade, and oil installations in the GCC states.
The Ministers reiterated their support for all peaceful efforts, including the initiative and endeavors of the United Arab Emirates to reach a peaceful solution to the dispute over the three islands; Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb, and Abu Musa, through bilateral negotiations or the International Court of Justice, in accordance with the rules of international law and the UN Charter, and to resolve this issue in accordance with international legitimacy.
The Ministers stressed the need to resume a credible peace process aimed at reaching a just solution to the Palestinian cause on the basis of the two-state solution, in accordance with relevant United Nations resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative, and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, stopping settlement and all unilateral measures, and respecting the historical status quo in the city of Jerusalem and its Holy sites.
They supported efforts aimed at reaching Palestinian reconciliation and national unity based on the political platform of the Palestine Liberation Organization. And they commended efforts made by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, to revive the Arab Peace Initiative. They also took note of the Russian proposals which were presented at the meeting aimed at consolidating international and regional support to the peace process.
The Ministers expressed grave concern with the latest Israeli raid in Jenin and the loss of life. They stressed the need to work to create and sustain an environment that will allow Palestinians and Israelis to return to a serious political dialogue and refrain from any unilateral actions that would undermine such efforts.
The Ministers commended the mediation efforts of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Sultanate of Oman toward a political settlement in the Republic of Yemen. They affirmed their support for the Presidential Leadership Council in Yemen, headed by His Excellency President Dr. Rashad Al Alimi. They expressed their hope to reach a political solution in accordance with the GCC Initiative and its Executive Mechanism, the Outcomes of the Yemeni National Dialogue Conference (NDC), and Security Council resolution 2216. They called on all Yemeni parties to immediately initiate direct negotiations under the auspices of the United Nations, adhere to the continuation of the truce, and support the humanitarian, relief, and development needs of the Yemeni people. The ministers also called upon the United Nations and all states to cooperate and take a firm stance against Houthi practices that contradict international efforts to resolve the crisis.
The Ministers stressed the importance of preserving territorial integrity of the Syrian Arab Republic, as well as its independence, unity and sovereignty. They reiterated their support for the full implementation of UN Security Council relevant resolutions. They expressed their support for the efforts of the Special Envoy for Syria, Geir O. Pedersen. They emphasized the need of further international efforts supporting the UN-mediated Syrian-led and Syrian-owned process of promoting the lasting settlement of the Syrian crisis. In this regard they took note of the activities of Astana Format. The ministers also underlined the important role of the Syrian Constitutional Committee and expressed support to the Committee’s work through continued engagement with the Syrian parties to the Committee and the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Syria Geir O. Pedersen as facilitator to ensure its sustainable and effective work. They backed the endeavors exerted to provide care for Syrian refugees and displaced persons and work to ensure their safe return to their cities and villages in accordance with international standards. They also firmly rejected any attempts to make demographic changes in Syria. Additionally, they highlighted the significance of providing unimpeded humanitarian access for all Syrians in need across all parts of the country. In order to help improve the humanitarian situation in Syria and achieve progress in political settlement, the ministers called on the international community, the United Nations and its humanitarian agencies to increase their assistance to Syria.
The Ministers welcomed the Arab efforts to resolve the crisis in the Syrian Arab Republic in a step-for-a-step as agreed upon during the Amman Consultative Meeting of the Arab Ministerial Contact Group on Syria on May 1, 2023. Also, they welcomed the Arab League’s decision on the resumption of the Syrian government’s participation in the League’s bodies. They expressed hope that the Syrian Government will take the initiative and begin taking the all necessary measures to achieve a comprehensive solution to the crisis.
The Ministers underscored the importance of Iraq's commitment to the sovereignty of the State of Kuwait and non-violation of international resolutions and agreements, in particular Security Council resolution 833, regarding the demarcation of the borders between the two countries and the agreement regulating maritime navigation in Khor Abdullah, concluded between the two countries and deposited with the United Nations. They stressed the necessity to complete Demarcation of the maritime borders between the Republic of Iraq and the State of Kuwait beyond the mark 162.
The Ministers expressed their support for Security Council resolution 2107, regarding the transfer of the file of prisoners and missing persons, Kuwaiti property and the national archive to the United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI), expressing their aspiration that Iraq will continue cooperation to ensure progress in all files, and calling on Iraq and the United Nations to make maximum efforts in order to reach a solution towards these files.
The ministers stressed the importance to preserve the interests of the Libyan people and to achieve security, stability and development in Libya, to guarantee its sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, to stop interference in its internal affairs, and called for the exit of all foreign forces, foreign fighters and mercenaries from Libya in accordance with UN Security Council resolution 2656, and their support for the efforts of the Special representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations for Libya Abdoulaye Bathily to help the Libyan parties to reach a political solution, hold elections and unify state institutions in order to meet the aspirations of the Libyan people and to lay the foundations for security and stability, and they welcomed the consensus reached by the 6+6 joint committee, which was formed by the Libyan House of Representatives and the High Council of State, on the laws regulating the election of the Head of State and members of the parliament.
The Ministers affirmed their support to Jeddah based peace-talks and diplomatic efforts towards enabling the Sudanese parties to de-escalate, dialogue and reconcile divergent views in order to reach an agreement that spares the Sudanese people the scourge of wars and conflicts, meets their aspirations, and contributes to strengthening the country’s security, stability and prosperity in all fields. They commended the role of the GCC states in the evacuation of foreign nationals from the Sudan and the provision of humanitarian aid to the Sudan.
The Ministers emphasized the importance of restoring security and stability in Afghanistan, and reaching a consensual political solution that takes into account the interests of all components of the Afghan people, in a way that achieves the aspirations of the Afghan people, and benefits regional and international peace and security, and called on the de-facto authority in Afghanistan to implement its obligations to ensure that Afghan lands are not used by any terrorist groups, or Afghan lands are exploited for the export of narcotics, to respect and guarantee human rights and freedoms, including women's and girls’ rights related to their access to education, employment, freedom of movement and full, equal and meaningful participation in public life, as well as to protect minorities.
Russia-GCC Cooperation
The two sides commended the successful efforts of the OPEC Plus countries, which contributed to the stabilization of the global oil market. Also, they stressed the importance of continuing this cooperation and the need for all participating countries to adhere to the OPEC Plus agreement, in the interests of producers and consumers and support the growth of the global economy.
Within the framework of the Memorandum of Understanding for the Strategic Dialogue signed at the First Joint Ministerial Meeting for the Strategic Dialogue between the two sides on November 1, 2011, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, the Ministers endorsed the Russia-GCC Joint Action Plan for Strategic Dialogue between GCC and Russia for the period (2023-2028).
The Joint Action Plan outlines the objectives expected to be achieved in the upcoming period, along with the necessary mechanisms and programs to implement them and translate the shared aspirations into tangible and practical steps. The plan includes enhancing political dialogue between the two sides, maintaining regular contacts between foreign ministers, senior officials, and experts from Russia and the GCC to exchange views on regional and international political issues of mutual interest, as well as following up on the progress made in the implementation of the Joint Action Plan.
The two sides agreed to work towards creating an enabling environment that fosters increased trade, investment, and the development of power supply chains. They aim to achieve this by encouraging communication between enterprises on both sides, capitalizing on investment opportunities in the Russian Federation and the GCC states, and enhancing cooperation in traditional energy. Additionally, regular meetings of specialists and professionals in this field will be organized to develop necessary frameworks and ensure the utilization of opportunities. Both sides are also interested in cooperation in peaceful uses of nuclear energy, nuclear safety, electricity, energy efficiency, renewable energy, the green hydrogen industry, and carbon circular economy techniques, with the goal of reducing emissions.
The Ministers emphasized the significance of cooperation in addressing challenges related to climate change, environmental and natural resource conservation, emergencies, disasters, and environmental degradation challenges. They also highlighted the importance of collaboration on water policies and biodiversity conservation. As well as cooperation in agriculture, including the sharing of experiences in promoting food security, sustainable agricultural development, and trade in agricultural products between the Russian Federation and the GCC states and. In this context, the Ministers commended regional events and initiatives that contribute to these efforts, including the "Green Middle East" initiative, the upcoming "Middle East and North Africa Climate Week" scheduled to take place in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia in October 2023, and the Expo Horticulture Exhibition in the State of Qatar, set to begin in October 2023.
The Ministers commended the GCC region for its pioneering role in addressing climate change challenges and reiterated their welcome and appreciation for the UAE for hosting the UN Climate Change Conference – COP28. They also expressed their support for UAE's efforts in organizing this vital conference to further support international efforts in this regard.
The Joint Action Plan includes enhancing cooperation in the field of health through the exchange of experiences between health institutions, and cooperation in the field of higher education and scientific research through increased contacts, the exchange of experiences, consultations, and scientific cooperation between universities, higher education institutions, and scientific research centers on both sides.
The Ministers emphasized the importance of enhancing cultural cooperation and people-to-people links between the Russian Federation and the GCC states, which are essential elements in increasing mutual understanding and key drivers of dialogue and partnership in all areas. They expressed support for cultural and educational exchanges, tourism, trade, and investment. They agreed to strengthen Russia-GCC cultural ties by promoting communication between cultural institutions. Additionally, cooperation in the field of sports will be fostered through the design of training programs for national sports teams on both sides and the organization of joint meetings and activities at sports facilities.
As the meeting concluded, the Ministers expressed their aspiration that the Russia-GCC Strategic Dialogue and the outcomes of this meeting will contribute to strengthening the relations of friendship and cooperation between the Russian Federation and the GCC states. They emphasized the importance of promoting people-to-people contacts to serve common interests and to contribute to the maintenance of security, peace, prosperity, and stability in the world. The Ministers decided to hold the Seventh Ministerial Meeting of the Strategic Dialogue in 2024 in Qatar.
Issued in Moscow, Russia, on July 10, 2023.