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Saudi Arabia Says Implementation of Demands Vital for Solving Qatar Crisis | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz meets Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, SPA


Jeddah- The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, received in Jeddah on Sunday Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, according to the Saudi state-owned news agency (SPA). Bolstering bilateral ties and enhancing cooperation were discussed by the two, alongside regional and international developments.

The audience was attended by Minister of State and Cabinet Member Dr. Ibrahim bin Abdulaziz Al-Assaf, Minister of Foreign Affairs Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir, the Special Russian Presidential Envoy for the Middle East and North Africa Mikhail Bogdanov, Russian Ambassador to the Kingdom Sergey Kozlov and a number of officials.

Speaking at a joint news conference with Lavrov, Saudi Foreign Minister Adel Al Jubeir said that Qatar needed to show seriousness in finding a solution to the crisis.

“We want clarity in the Qatari position, we want seriousness in finding a solution that leads to the implementation of principles which all countries support: no supporting terrorism, no welcoming unwanted guests, no spreading hate, no intervening in others’ affairs,” Jubeir said.

“We are interested in all those mediatory efforts that are currently being made producing results and the unity of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) being restored,” he added.

Kuwait and the United States have been mediating to reach a breakthrough in the three-month long crisis that has put the whole region on edge and prompted Turkey to send troops to Qatar in a sign of support.

On Saturday, Saudi Arabia suspended any dialogue with Qatar, accusing it of “distorting facts”, just after a report of a phone call between the leaders of both countries suggested a breakthrough in the Gulf dispute.

Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt severed ties with Qatar on June 5, accusing it of supporting terrorist groups.

Lavrov said Russia was in favor of dialogue to settle the dispute.

“We have confirmed our position (that we are) in favor of settling the disagreements by means of negotiations, by directly expressing concerns and achieving solutions which would take into account the concerns and the interests of all parties,” Lavrov told a news conference in Jeddah.

Russia is ready for cooperation with Saudi Arabia in the energy sphere in territories of both countries, said Lavrov.

“His Majesty the king [of Saudi Arabia Salman bin Abdulaziz] expressed satisfaction with our cooperation in the energy,” the Russian minister said. “This is exactly the estimation of the Russian leaders of the cooperation in this sphere.”

“Our economy operators are interested and ready for participation in joint projects with Riyadh in the energy, industry, agriculture and other promising sectors both in Russia and in Saudi Arabia,” he said.