GCC Secretary-General confirms strengthening ties with Russia and elevating bilateral cooperation

Manama, October 18 (KUNA) -- Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jassem Al-Bedaiwi affirmed today, Sunday, in Manama that GCC member states attach special importance to consolidating their relations with the Russian Federation, based on shared interests and a mutual desire to elevate cooperation and coordination between the two sides, thereby opening broader horizons for Gulf-Russian partnership.

This statement was made by Al-Bedaiwi during the ninth joint ministerial meeting of the Strategic Dialogue between the GCC and the Russian Federation, chaired by Bahraini Foreign Minister Dr. Abdul Latif bin Rashid Al Zayani, and attended by the foreign ministers of GCC member states, including Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Jaraah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

The Secretary-General stated that today’s joint ministerial meeting takes place at a highly critical juncture for our region, where GCC states are facing unprecedented attacks undermining their security and sovereignty, and where maritime navigation and energy supplies are under direct threat. This context amplifies the importance of the strategic dialogue between the GCC and the Russian Federation, as well as the need to intensify consultation and coordination between the two sides on regional and international issues of common interest, contributing to consolidating the foundations of security and stability and resolving conflicts through peaceful means in accordance with the principles of the UN Charter and international law.

He pointed out that among the most serious challenges facing our region are Iranian attacks on GCC states, which began on February 28, 2026, with more than 7,000 ballistic missiles and drones targeting airports, ports, power stations, water desalination plants, and oil and gas facilities, resulting in the deaths of innocent civilians. These attacks occurred in a war in which GCC states were not parties; rather, they made every effort to shield the region from its dire repercussions, despite suffering blatant aggression and violations of their sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Al-Bedaiwi added that these attacks were not limited to direct Iranian aggression but also extended to assaults by the terrorist Houthi militia, which escalated its attacks on the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, targeting airports, civilian infrastructure, and energy facilities. Among these was the brutal attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on October 10, which killed 12 people of various nationalities, including citizens and residents, and injured more than 300 others, in a blatant violation of international law and international humanitarian law.

In this context, the Secretary-General affirmed the GCC’s unified stance alongside the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, its full solidarity with the Kingdom, and its support for all measures taken to protect the Kingdom’s security, sovereignty, and the safety of its citizens and residents. He also called on the international community to adopt a firm and deterrent position against attacks targeting the Kingdom’s security and stability, condemning what constitutes a threat to regional peace and security and a violation of relevant UN Security Council resolutions, particularly Resolution 2722.

Al-Bedaiwi noted that Iran’s decision to disrupt navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, through which approximately one-fifth of global oil consumption passes, along with its efforts to impose restrictions and fees on transit rights, and the threats posed by its proxies to navigation in the Bab al-Mandab Strait and the Red Sea, represent violations of the international rules governing navigation in straits used for international shipping, as well as threats to energy security, food security, and global supply chains.

He stated that the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) emphasizes the necessity of restoring navigation in the Strait of Hormuz to its pre-February 28, 2026, status, and the importance of fully implementing United Nations Security Council Resolution 2817 (2026), which strongly condemned Iranian attacks on GCC member states and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, and called for an immediate halt to all Iranian aggression. In the same context, he said that the GCC looks forward to Russia playing an active role, as a permanent member of the Security Council, in pressuring Iran to comply with Resolution 2817 (2026), cease its attacks, respect freedom of navigation, and engage in serious dialogue with GCC states based on principles of good neighborliness, respect for sovereignty, and non-interference in internal affairs. He also noted that the Palestinian issue remains at the forefront of the GCC’s priorities, reiterating the Council’s firm and supportive stance toward the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, foremost among which is the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the borders of June 4, 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital, in accordance with international legitimacy resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative. The GCC also appreciates Russia’s firm and supportive position toward the establishment of an independent Palestinian state and its recognition of it since 1988. Furthermore, the GCC reaffirms its support for the necessity of consolidating the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and proceeding with the implementation of the second phase, which ensures a complete Israeli withdrawal, unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid, the beginning of recovery and reconstruction, and the unification of Gaza and the West Bank under the umbrella of the Palestinian Authority. It rejects any attempts at displacement or altering the legal and historical character of Jerusalem, and supports the continued operation of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in fulfilling its mandate.

Regarding the Syrian issue, Al-Badawi affirmed the GCC’s firm and supportive stance toward the sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of the Syrian Arab Republic, emphasizing the importance of supporting efforts to enhance its security and stability and to realize the aspirations of the Syrian people for security, development, and prosperity, thereby contributing to consolidating peace and stability in the region.

On the Russian-Ukrainian crisis, he stated that the GCC reiterates the importance of prioritizing dialogue and diplomacy in addressing the crisis and supports all efforts aimed at reaching a comprehensive, peaceful political settlement in accordance with the principles of international law and the UN Charter, which would contribute to achieving security and stability. He also highlighted that the GCC values the tangible contributions made by member states to mitigate the humanitarian impacts of the crisis, including the Emirati mediation that resulted in the exchange of thousands of prisoners between the two sides, Saudi efforts manifested in hosting the Jeddah and Riyadh talks between the concerned parties, and Qatari mediation that facilitated the return of over a hundred children to their families. These efforts exemplify the GCC states’ steadfast approach of supporting peaceful initiatives and building trust among the parties.

He also expressed his hope for continuing to develop joint Gulf-Russian cooperation and enhancing collaboration in political, commercial, cultural, educational, agricultural, health, energy, and other sectors, within the framework of the joint action plan between the GCC and the Russian Federation for the period 2023–2028, which aims to achieve shared interests and support development and prosperity pathways for both sides.

He clarified that, in the same context, a joint technical meeting was scheduled to be held in the Russian capital, Moscow, between specialists and relevant officials from both sides, with the aim of discussing areas of mutual cooperation and reviewing the priorities, initiatives, and proposals of both parties. However, the unfortunate circumstances that have swept the region prevented the meeting from taking place at the targeted time. Coordination will be resumed to hold the meeting, in order to activate the agreed-upon areas of cooperation within the framework of the action plan. He expressed hope that the Ninth Joint Ministerial Meeting of the Strategic Dialogue between the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the Russian Federation, held today, would serve as an opportunity to deepen political and security consultations and enhance coordination and cooperation between the GCC and the Russian Federation, in a manner that contributes to achieving security, peace, development, and stability in the region and worldwide. (End) K.N.A. / N.S.A.