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18:29 11.09.2025 •
Photo: MFA
Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s opening remarks at the 8th Ministerial M Meeting of the Russia−GCC Strategic Dialogue.
Sochi, September 11, 2025
Mr Chairman,
Mr Secretary General,
Colleagues,
Friends,
I am pleased to extend my warmest welcome to you all in Sochi for the 8th Ministerial Meeting of the Russia−Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Strategic Dialogue. This is not the first occasion on which we have convened such an event. The Russian Federation has previously hosted two strategic dialogues – on May 26, 2016, and July 10, 2023 – both held in Moscow. Today, we have opted for a change of venue. I trust that the traditional hospitality of the beautiful city of Sochi and the picturesque landscapes of the Black Sea coast in the North Caucasus will create the ideal atmosphere for our discussions. I hope you enjoy your stay.
Russia places particular emphasis on strengthening its privileged partnership with GCC member states. This objective is enshrined as a priority within our foreign policy. Initiated in 2011, the Strategic Dialogue has, over these 14 years, demonstrated its relevance and effectiveness, evolving into a key platform for frank and constructive exchanges on pressing regional and international issues, as well as deepening business collaboration and expanding cultural and humanitarian ties.
Today’s meeting occurs against the backdrop of escalating military and political tensions in the Middle East following Israel’s missile and bomb strikes on September 9, this year, targeting the capital of Qatar – Doha. We have received these reports with profound concern. We regard this act as a gross violation of international law – above all, the UN Charter – an assault on the sovereignty and territorial integrity of an independent state, and a step that risks further destabilising the Middle East. Such actions undoubtedly merit the strongest condemnation.
The situation is rendered all the more cynical by the fact that Qatar serves as one of the key mediators in indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas regarding ceasefire terms in the Gaza Strip. It is evident that such Israeli actions only undermine international efforts to seek peaceful resolutions, demonstrating an unwillingness to halt the unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza and the West Bank, as well as an intent to sabotage the very possibility of establishing a Palestinian state.
Naturally, we will discuss this situation today with our friends and seek to develop joint measures to mitigate the negative repercussions of this act for the region. Russia stands ready to provide every possible assistance to the GCC and our colleagues present here in formulating a collective line within the framework of the GCC, the Arab League, and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.
Russia and your countries maintain intensive high-level contacts, which lend strong momentum to advancing our relations. In 2023, President of Russia Vladimir Putin visited Abu Dhabi and Riyadh, holding substantive talks with President of the UAE Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Crown Prince, Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud. In April this year, Russia hosted Emir of Qatar Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Sultan of Oman Haitham bin Tariq Al Said, while in October 2024 and August this year, we welcomed President of the UAE Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to Moscow.
We look forward to welcoming your leaders on October 15 in Moscow for the first Russian-Arab Summit.
A preparatory meeting at the foreign ministers’ level will take place on October 13. We would be delighted to see you there, as this meeting aims to finalise the outcome documents of the Russian-Arab Summit.
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Press release on Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani.
Photo: MFA
On September 11, on the sidelines of the eighth ministerial meeting of the Russia – Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Strategic Dialogue in Sochi, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani.
While exchanging opinions on the current issues on the Middle Eastern agenda the foreign ministers focused on settling crisis situations, including in the zone of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
The ministers also discussed further development of the traditionally friendly Russian-Bahraini relations, including extension of cooperation in trade, the economy, investment, culture and the humanitarian area. They underscored their orientation towards enhancing bilateral political coordination, including the election of Bahrain as a nonpermanent member of the UN Security Council.
Opening remarks by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov at the meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani:
Mr Minister,
I am glad to see you. We have agreed to meet in Sochi because in Moscow you will be anyway in a month.
We are grateful to His Majesty for the consent to take part in the summit in person. Please, convey to him the best wishes from President of Russia Vladimir Putin, who is looking forward to meeting his friends at the Russian-Arab summit, including the events of the summit itself and any bilateral meetings, which may be arranged.
In several weeks, we will mark the 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations between our countries. Hopefully, the embassies of our countries will ensure that this event does not go unnoticed. We could exchange statements for publication. I am sure that our colleagues from the Middle East and North Africa Department will organize it.
We appreciate the participation of National Security Adviser to the King of Bahrain Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa in the St Petersburg International Economic Forum. I was present at his meeting with President of Russia Vladimir Putin. The atmosphere was great there. They had a substantive conversation.
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Press release on Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s meeting with Gulf Cooperation Council Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Al Budaiwi.
Photo: MFA
On September 11, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met with Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Jasem Mohamed Al Budaiwi on the sidelines of the eighth ministerial meeting of the Russia-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Strategic Dialogue in Sochi.
During the meeting, the parties underscored the importance of preserving the traditionally high level of cooperation between Russia and the GCC Secretariat, in order to further promote comprehensive ties with their Arabian partners and maintain coordination on all pressing issues on the international and regional agenda.
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Press release on Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s meeting with Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of Qatar Sultan bin Saad bin Sultan Al Muraikhi.
Photo: MFA
On September 11, Sergey Lavrov met with Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar Sultan bin Saad bin Sultan Al Muraikhi on the sidelines of the eighth ministerial meeting of the Russia – Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Strategic Dialogue in Sochi.
The ministers had an in-depth discussion of prospective areas for the further development of the entire range of traditionally friendly Russian-Qatari relations. The commitment to maintaining a regular, trusting political dialogue, as well as enhancing trade, economic, investment, cultural and humanitarian cooperation with an emphasis on implementing the agreements reached following the talks between President of Russia Vladimir Putin and Emir of Qatar Tamim Al Thani during his official visit to Moscow on April 17, was reaffirmed.
Considerable attention was also given to current issues on the international and Middle Eastern agenda, with an emphasis on the situation in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict zone.
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Photo: MFA
During a telephone conversation between Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of the State of Qatar Mohammed Al Thani (photo), the head of Russian diplomacy expressed solidarity with the leadership and people of Qatar following the Israeli strike on Doha on September 9, 2025, MFA informs.
Sergey Lavrov conveyed sincere condolences to the families and loved ones of the deceased Qatari nationals, alongside wishes for a swift recovery to those injured.
The Russian side reaffirmed its resolute condemnation of this aggressive act as a flagrant violation of international law and an unacceptable assault on the sovereignty and territorial integrity of friendly Qatar. Serious concern was articulated regarding Israel’s actions, which risk further destabilising the situation in the Middle East.
Mohammed Al Thani expressed gratitude for Russia’s clear and principled stance in support of the sovereignty and independence of the State of Qatar, as well as its endeavours to safeguard its independence and territorial integrity.
The parties agreed to continue close coordination, including in the context of an emergency UN Security Council meeting scheduled for September 11, 2025, in New York at Qatar’s initiative, which Mohammed Al Thani will attend.
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