MORE Bahraini students are expected to study in Russia as enhanced educational co-operation and scholarships were discussed during a top diplomatic meeting in Bahrain yesterday.
Strengthening bilateral ties and investment opportunities between Bahrain and Russia were also highlighted alongside regional stability and food security.
Details were revealed as Foreign Minister Dr Abdullatif Al Zayani and his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov held a Press briefing at the Foreign Ministry.
“We agreed to develop interactions between delegations in business activities and we have discussed several projects in the Third World countries,” Mr Lavrov said.
“We are appreciating our humanitarian platform and educational platform as 100 students are currently studying in Russia and we are ready to expand the number of scholarships for our Bahraini friends.
“We have fantastic plans on the cultural front including a day of Russian culture which will be held in Manama, a cultural forum for future dialogue and a roadshow museum, as well as a festival of Russian cinema.
Interest
“I’m sure these events will be of great interest to Bahraini and Russian citizens and will help to develop contacts between our populations.”
Mr Lavrov also highlighted that discussions included agreements to fortify legal frameworks and an international agenda of discussion highlighting Middle East and North Africa issues.
He also added that the Palestinian and Israeli conflict was also discussed along with the Syrian crisis, security measures in the GCC countries, issues in Yemen, and Russian participation in the settlement discussions involving the Iranian nuclear programme.
“Not settling these conflicts and matters of concern bring pressures of a global nature – especially the conflict in Jerusalem,” added Mr Lavrov. “We discussed resumption of the new negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians and we have the international framework and peaceful initiatives supported by everybody – including the United Nations.
“We see an actual necessity to fortify our relationship with the Arab League countries to create all the conditions to renew this dialogue again.
“We have also discussed the Ukrainian situation and the recent events regarding food security and Russian efforts to guarantee free-import of Ukrainian wheat and we need Ukraine to remove mines in the territorial waters.”
He added that Russian marine and airforce vessels are prepared to move supplies of wheat safely to other countries and urged Western countries to rethink their logistical and financial chains.
He also praised the role played by the ‘Manama Dialogue’ as a platform for open dialogue and communication, as well as a chance to come up with balanced solutions to global issues and international interests.
“We are proud of our strong and historic relationship between our two countries which is based on mutual co-operation and co-ordination for all that is in the interest of both countries,” added Dr Al Zayani during the media briefing.
“We discussed the development and expansion of our relationship and the mutual topics such as Palestine and Yemen, as well as the nuclear file in Iran and the chance of achieving a settlement in the Middle East – particularly to push forward a settlement between Israel and Palestine. We also discussed the developments in Ukraine and how to resolve the conflict and bring back peace and security to Europe.
“We emphasised the position of Bahrain to have resolutions based on peace and security in Ukraine and Europe and the opening of peaceful corridors to provide humanitarian relief and aid.”
reem@gdn.com.bh
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