On Tuesday, Saudi Arabia and Russia stressed the importance of supporting the diplomatic path to resolve the current regional and international challenges, including the Palestinian issue and the situation in Yemen, and ensuring the security and freedom of navigation in international waterways, most notably the Strait of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandab.
This came during an official discussion session held by Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, in Moscow, which dealt with the latest developments in the regional and international situation and the efforts made to reduce escalation and calm tensions.
Prince Faisal bin Farhan explained that his visit to Moscow comes in a special year, in which the two countries celebrate the hundredth anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic relations, which are based on mutual respect and common interests, looking forward to the contribution of these relations in enriching dialogue and consultation between them, and enhancing paths of joint cooperation.
The Saudi minister added that cooperation between the two countries today includes a wide range of political and economic issues. “It has proven its importance in supporting the stability of global energy markets, achieving a balance that takes into account the interests of producers and consumers, and contributed to the sustainability of global economic growth and enhancing cooperation in the economic, trade and investment fields.”
For his part, the Russian Foreign Minister stressed that his country attaches special importance to this visit that coincides with the celebration of the centenary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, which are witnessing development year after year, in the trade, economic, investment, cultural and humanitarian fields, stressing Moscow’s sincere desire to contribute to the efforts aimed at calming the situation and addressing regional issues.
The two ministers noted the importance of enhancing coordination and consultation between the two countries in international forums, and supporting efforts aimed at consolidating multilateral action and reforming the international labor system to be more effective in confronting global conditions and enhancing international peace and security.
The two sides aspired to advance Saudi-Russian relations towards broader horizons, relying on a legacy spanning one hundred years of diplomatic relations and continuous cooperation, and moving them towards a more ambitious and expanded second century, in a way that reflects the depth of the partnership of the two countries, serves their common interests, and supports security, stability, development and prosperity.
The Saudi Foreign Minister had stressed - during a press conference with his Russian counterpart - that the Kingdom would not hesitate to support what is in the interest of Yemen and the region, in parallel with its adherence to its right to protect its security and interests, and to confront attacks by all available means.
In turn, Lavrov described - at the conference - the Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia as “unacceptable and counterproductive.” It puts the lives of civilians and civilian facilities at risk, and causes damage to the global economy, stressing Moscow’s full support for Riyadh’s continued efforts to implement the road map for a peaceful settlement in Yemen.
Qatar affirmed its support for all diplomatic efforts and endeavors aimed at a solution that guarantees freedom of maritime navigation in the Gulf region, and paves the way for reaching a comprehensive agreement that achieves sustainable peace in the region.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman Al Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar, discussed with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, on Tuesday, in Beijing, the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz and efforts aimed at reducing regional tension, as the two ministers stressed the need to protect the security and freedom of international maritime navigation.
The Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the meeting was held on the second and final day of the visit of the Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister to China, where the two sides reviewed the most prominent developments in the region, the diplomatic efforts made to reduce escalation and enhance security and stability in the region, and stressed the need to ensure the security and freedom of international navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
The Qatari Foreign Minister said that his country supports all diplomatic initiatives aimed at reaching a solution that protects freedom of maritime navigation. He expressed his hope that these initiatives would pave the way for a comprehensive agreement that would achieve lasting peace in the region.
The two sides stressed the need to ensure the security and freedom of international navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told the Qatari Prime Minister on Tuesday that the tense situation in the Gulf region severely undermines the security of countries in the region and “continues to affect the stability of energy markets, shipping traffic and supply chains.”
An official brief issued by the ministry quoted the Chinese minister as saying, during the meeting, that “exerting pressure through weapons and artillery is not the way out, but rather dialogue and negotiation are the correct path.”
He added that China appreciates the great efforts made by Qatar in mediating regional issues and seeking peace, and is also ready to continue communication and coordination with Qatar regarding international and regional affairs.
Qatari Foreign Ministry: Resuming negotiations
The Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed, on Tuesday, that Doha is working with its partners in the region and around the world, including China, to resume talks between the United States and Iran.
Ibrahim bin Sultan Al Hashemi, Director of the Media and Communications Department at the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said during a media briefing that the State of Qatar is “working diligently with its regional and international partners, including China, to resume diplomacy and dialogue and put forward practical ideas that address the concerns of all parties.”
He added: “But most important of all is that there be the political will on both sides to resume dialogue and resolve the crisis through peaceful means.”
The Qatari official affirmed his country’s position calling for an end to the state of “no war and no peace” in the region, and said: “We must stress that it is unacceptable to normalize this state of no war and no peace in the region, as it is a drain on the region, the capabilities of its people, and its economies, and its impact continues beyond that, as we see the economic impact in various parts of the world.”
Regarding the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, Al-Hashimi stressed the importance of reopening the strait “immediately and unconditionally as an international waterway.” He added that using the Strait “as a pressure card in this way is unacceptable and unacceptable to the entire international community.”
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan affirmed that his country will not hesitate to defend itself in the face of any attack, and will use all available means to protect its interests, sending a strongly worded message to the Houthis that the Houthi militias “have opened a door that they cannot tolerate.”
Prince Faisal bin Farhan said during a joint press conference with his Russian counterpart in Moscow that Saudi Arabia “will not hesitate to support what achieves the interests of Yemen and the region,” and that it will use all available means to protect its interests and defend itself in the face of attacks.
Speaking about the Houthi escalation, the Saudi Foreign Minister said that “the Houthi has opened a door that he cannot tolerate,” accusing the terrorist militias of trying to export their internal problems in Yemen to Saudi Arabia.
He added that the Houthis resort to violence whenever they find themselves in a difficult situation, and that they insist on imposing more suffering on the Yemeni people, instead of engaging responsibly in a political path that ends the crisis.
Despite the firm tone towards the escalation, Prince Faisal bin Farhan stressed that the door to diplomacy is still open to deal with the Houthis, noting that the legitimate Yemeni government has provided them with an opportunity to negotiate responsibly, but the group prefers, according to him, its personal and narrow interests over the interests of Yemen and its people.
The Saudi Foreign Minister stressed that the Kingdom will not hesitate to support what is in the interest of Yemen and the region, in parallel with its adherence to its right to protect its security and interests and confront attacks by all available means.
For his part, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov described the Houthi attacks on civilian objects in Saudi Arabia as “unacceptable,” warning that they endanger the lives of civilians and civilian facilities, and cause harm to the global economy, given the strategic importance of the Arabian Peninsula and its surrounding waters to the movement of international trade.
Lavrov said, during the joint press conference with Prince Faisal bin Farhan in Moscow, that Moscow believes that the Houthi attacks are “counterproductive,” stressing Russia’s full support for Saudi Arabia’s efforts to continue implementing the road map for a peaceful settlement in Yemen.
The Russian Foreign Minister stressed the rejection of trying to settle the issues through military means, stressing the need to ensure freedom and security of navigation in international waters, including the waters adjacent to the Yemeni coasts, and calling for the acceleration of launching a direct dialogue between the influential Yemeni forces based on the road map that was reached at a Saudi initiative.
Prince Faisal bin Farhan arrived in Moscow on Tuesday morning on an official visit, during which he held a session of discussions with Minister Lavrov, which dealt with bilateral relations between the two countries and regional and international developments of common interest.
