By Vestnik Kavkaza
First session of the Russian-Arab Cooperation Forum at the ministries level will be held in Moscow on February 20th. The head of the Information and Press Department of the Russian Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Alexander Lukashevich stated that “Secretary General of the LAS and the foreign minister of Iraq who is also the current chairman of the summit of the LAS are expected to come to the Forum.” Moreover, ministers of Kuwait, the Lebanese Republic, and Libya should arrive.
Meanwhile, Fayed Mustafa, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the State of Palestine to the Russian Federation, thinks that “with regard to the upcoming Russian-Arab Cooperation Forum, we are quite late with this initiative. Our people are connected with the Russian people by deep and long-standing relations. We should have started the practice of convening such bilateral forums much earlier. But better late than never. Back in 2010, there was a forum of Russian-Arab cooperation, and it was assumed that the first session would be convened in 2011. However, due to the conditions and circumstances that existed then in the Arab East, it was not convened in the estimated period of time, and finally it was agreed that February 20, here in Moscow, this session will be held. We expect that on February 19 the ministers will come, and on the eve of the meeting there will be a meeting of experts, professionals, it will be held on February 19 in order to prepare those necessary documents on which the debate will go at this forum.
The economic issues of cooperation between Russia and the Arab countries will also be discussed. The third exhibition “Arabia-EXPO” will be held in June in St. Petersburg, and it should also serve as the revitalization of the Russian-Arab economic cooperation, and the Russian-Arab Business Council will meet in St. Petersburg in late May - early June, and it will be an important step in the development of economic relations.
This forum is very important for the Arab world, and the Arab League is hoping that this meeting will result in some practical steps to strengthen the cooperation between Russia and the Arab countries. In general, this relationship is certainly fruitful, but it is necessary to develop it, and on February 20 the discussion will consider a range of bilateral issues. There will be political relations, and, of course, the Palestinian problem will be reflected, it will be one of the main issues to be discussed on the agenda. I think that both sides, Russian and Arab, will consider the Palestinian issue from one angle, namely, from the point of view of the Arab countries, based on respect for international law and the resolutions and decisions adopted by the international arena.”
Speaking about settlement of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, Fayed Mustafa stated that “existing tension is primarily a result of Israeli actions that occur in the continuation of settlement policy. On the other hand, the steps towards the Judaization of Jerusalem and other parts of the West Bank continue. Additionally, Palestinian funds are frozen. This is money that should have come to us in accordance with the Oslo Accords, the Paris agreements. It is our money, but the money is illegally frozen and even spent, and that is blatant piracy and robbery, contrary to all the laws and regulations.
We are now waiting for new steps to be taken by the international community. Israel, of course, is not waiting and is continuing its previous policies on the ground. We expect a visit by John Kerry to our region this month. We also expect Barack Obama's visit next month. We expect the announcement on the date of the session of the quadripartite commission, and we follow the activities of Russia in preparation for the meeting. We very much appreciate the efforts that Russia is making to move this process forward.”
