Foreign Minister Meets Russian Counterpart in Moscow and Holds Official Talks

Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah met today in the Russian capital, Moscow, with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Sergey Lavrov. The two sides held an official session of talks covering the full spectrum of bilateral relations, the latest regional and international developments, and ways to enhance cooperation and coordination between the two countries across various fields.
 At the outset of the meeting, the foreign minister expressed his thanks and appreciation to the Russian foreign minister for the warm reception and generous hospitality. He underscored that the visit comes during a significant year as the Kingdom and Russia celebrate the centenary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two friendly countries. He also expressed hope that the visit and the talks held during it would enrich dialogue and consultation between the two countries and advance avenues of joint cooperation.
 The foreign minister stated that relations between the two friendly countries are founded on mutual respect and shared interests, noting that Saudi-Russian cooperation today encompasses a broad range of political and economic issues. Prince Faisal added that this cooperation has demonstrated its importance in supporting the stability of global energy markets and achieving a balance that takes into account the interests of both producers and consumers, while contributing to sustainable global economic growth, in addition to strengthening cooperation in the economic, trade, and investment fields.
 For his part, the Russian foreign minister welcomed the foreign minister, affirming that Russia attaches particular importance to the current visit, especially as this year marks the centenary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Russia and Saudi Arabia. He noted that the occasion provides a valuable opportunity to discuss the state of Russian-Saudi relations, which continue to develop year after year in the fields of trade, economy, investment, culture, and humanitarian cooperation. He also affirmed his country’s sincere desire to contribute to efforts to de-escalate tensions and address regional issues.
 During the talks, the two sides reviewed the course of Saudi-Russian relations and discussed the latest regional and international developments, as well as efforts to reduce escalation and ease tensions. They stressed the importance of supporting diplomatic efforts to address current regional and international challenges, including the Palestinian issue and the situation in Yemen, as well as the importance of ensuring the security and freedom of navigation in international waterways, foremost among them the Strait of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandab.
 The talks also addressed the importance of strengthening coordination and consultation in international forums, supporting efforts to consolidate multilateral action, and reforming the international system to respond more effectively to global challenges and advance international peace and security.
 At the conclusion of the talks, the two sides affirmed their aspiration to advance Saudi-Russian relations toward broader horizons, building on a century-long legacy of diplomatic relations and sustained cooperation and embarking on a second century of even greater ambition and broader cooperation. They stressed that this would reflect the depth of the partnership between the two countries, serve their shared interests, and contribute to security, stability, development, and prosperity.
 The meeting was attended by Saudi Ambassador to Russian Federation Sami Al-Sadhan, Director General of the European Department Ambassador Abdulrahman Al-Ahmad, and Advisor to the Foreign Minister Mohammed Alyahya.