Russia and the League of Arab States (LAS) believe that only a dialogue can resolve the recent situation around Qatar and the league’s reputation should help ease tension in the region, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said after talks with LAS Secretary General Ahmed Aboul Gheit.
"We have discussed the situation regarding Qatar," Lavrov said. "We have reiterated our common stance that the situation must be resolved by means of a dialogue." "We believe that it is important to ensure that the concerns which have arisen should be removed and resolved in the spirit of mutual respect in the interests of the sustainable development of all the countries in the region. We hope that the reputation of the LAS will help in this regard," TASS cited him as saying.
Lavrov said that Russia is ready to respond to the Arab countries’ call to help solve the situation around Qatar if necessary.
"We have repeatedly laid out our position that we will be ready to support any efforts to normalize the relations between Arab countries of the Gulf," he said. "Russian President has communicated on the phone with the main participants of the process, with Saudi Arabia’s King, with Qatar’s Emir, with Bahrein’s King, President of Egypt, President of Turkey. Qatar’s Foreign Minister has come to us, Abu Dhabi’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs has been here, which means we’re in constant contact with all abovementioned countries," Lavrov said.
"We support mediatory efforts of Kuwait, and if all involved countries think that we can do something more to bridge divisions and concerns we will be ready to respond to respective calls," Russia’s top diplomat said.
