Post #2172

@RusEmbMalta Press Release On the Outcomes of the 8th Ministerial Meeting of the Russia – GCC Strategic Dialogue On 11 September 2025, Sochi, Russia, hosted the 8th Ministerial Meeting of the Strategic Dialogue between Russia and the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC). Key highlights: 🔹14 years of Dialogue – Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov underlined that since its launch the Dialogue has become an effective and in-demand mechanism for exchanging views on key regional and global issues, as well as on the development of trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian cooperation. 🔹Foreign policy priority – Strengthening partnership with the GCC remains among Russia’s top foreign policy priorities. High-level contacts, led by the regular and trusted dialogue between President Vladimir Putin and GCC leaders, demonstrate the privileged nature of these relations. 🔹Growing trade – By the end of 2024, Russia–GCC trade turnover had increased more than sevenfold compared to 2021, alongside a steady rise in mutual investments. 🔹Regional stability – Ministers held substantive discussions on the situation in the Middle East and North Africa, emphasizing the importance of joint efforts to strengthen stability and security, and the need for political-diplomatic solutions in strict compliance with international law. 🔹Palestine–Israel conflict – Participants stressed the urgency of an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, release of all hostages, and restoration of safe and unhindered humanitarian access. They reaffirmed the necessity of a two-state solution as the only comprehensive path to resolving the Palestinian issue. 🔹 Doha strikes (9 September) – The meeting adopted a joint statement condemning Israel’s strikes on Doha as a grave violation of international law and the UN Charter, and an unacceptable assault on the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Qatar. 🔹Other hotspots – Situations in Sudan, Yemen, Syria, and Libya were reviewed. The parties expressed support for compromise-based political solutions in line with UN Security Council resolutions, with full respect for sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity. 🔹Expanding cooperation – Russia and GCC states confirmed their commitment to deepen mutually beneficial cooperation in industry, energy, transport, agriculture, culture, education, and tourism. 👉 The next, 9th Ministerial Meeting of the Russia–GCC Strategic Dialogue will take place in 2026 in one of the GCC member states. #RussiaGCC#StrategicDialogue#MiddleEast