The key facts

  • Lavrov and Faisal bin Farhan expressed concern over tensions in the southern Arabian Peninsula and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait
  • The sides emphasized the importance of maritime safety and the unimpeded passage of vessels through international waterways
  • The importance of continued cooperation within OPEC+ was separately confirmed, along with Lavrov's talks with Kuwait's foreign minister

Meeting in Manama

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and his Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan on Sunday, October 18, expressed concern over tensions in the southern Arabian Peninsula and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. The meeting took place in Manama, the capital of Bahrain, on the sidelines of the ninth ministerial meeting of the Strategic Dialogue between Russia and the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf.

Shipping security and bilateral ties

According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, the ministers emphasized the importance of maritime safety and the unimpeded passage of vessels through international waterways. The sides also discussed key issues of bilateral relations, confirming their commitment to regular confidential political dialogue and the expansion of trade, economic, investment, cultural and humanitarian cooperation. In addition, both sides noted the importance of continuing interaction within OPEC+.

Talks with Kuwait

The same day, Lavrov held talks with Kuwait's Foreign Minister Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah. The main topics were international and regional issues, above all the situation in the Persian Gulf region. The ministers called for a rapid de-escalation of tensions 'in this strategically important part of the world' and stressed that political and diplomatic means are the only path to resolving differences, taking into account the interests of all countries in the region. The sides also confirmed their intention to strengthen Russian-Kuwaiti ties through regular political dialogue and the expansion of trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian cooperation.