Russia, Gulf countries support Pedersen’s efforts for peace in Syria
DAMASCUS, Syria (North Press) – Russia and the member countries of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, also known as the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), stressed importance of “Syria’s territorial integrity” and expressed their support to the UN Special Envoy for Syria efforts for peace between the conflicting parties.
This came in a joint statement following the end of works of the 6th joint ministerial meeting of strategic dialogue between the GCC and Russia that Moscow hosted on Monday.
In 2016, the first meeting of the Russia-GCC strategic dialogue initiated, and it was held in the Saudi capital Riyadh in 2017.
During the ministerial meeting, several issues were tackled including bilateral relations and the Syrian issue amid international racing to have the Middle East ties settled, especially at the economic level.
The ministers [of foreign affairs] stressed the importance of maintaining the territorial integrity, independence, unity, and sovereignty of Syria, according to the statement.
The statement added that the ministers expressed support for the efforts of UN Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen.
The meeting focused on Syria, including the refugees issues and the efforts exerted to return them home.
The GCC is a regional organization bringing together six countries: Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Oman and Saudi Arabia. It was established in 1981.