Russia, Saudi Arabia Voice Concern Over Bab el-Mandeb Tensions

MANAMA, Oct 18: Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan expressed concern on Sunday over tensions in the southern Arabian Peninsula and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait during talks on the sidelines of the ninth Russia-Gulf Cooperation Council Strategic Dialogue ministerial meeting in Manama, Bahrain.

According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, the ministers stressed the importance of maritime safety and the unimpeded passage of vessels through international waterways. They also discussed bilateral relations, pledging to strengthen political dialogue and expand trade, economic, investment, cultural and humanitarian cooperation, while highlighting continued coordination within the OPEC+ framework.

Lavrov also met Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah to discuss international and regional developments, with particular focus on the Gulf situation. The ministers called for a swift de-escalation of tensions in the strategically important region, stressing that political and diplomatic efforts were the only way to resolve differences while respecting the interests of all regional countries involved.

Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening Russia-Kuwait relations through regular political dialogue and expanded trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian cooperation.