The key facts

  • Lavrov supported GCC efforts to prevent a full-scale war in the Middle East
  • An updated concept of collective security in the Gulf was proposed
  • Russia's trade turnover with GCC countries grew by 45% over the past year

Statement at the meeting in Bahrain

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Sunday that Moscow supports the efforts of the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) aimed at preventing a return to full-scale war in the Middle East. The statement was made at the ninth ministerial meeting of the Russia–GCC strategic dialogue in Bahrain.

Collective security concept

Lavrov presented an updated concept of collective security in the Gulf region, noting that previous versions of this proposal had been discussed with political, academic and expert circles of the GCC states for several decades. According to him, the coastal states should have the decisive say in matters of ensuring the region's security, and he called for direct dialogue between the Gulf countries and their neighbors, including Iraq and Jordan.

Role of external participants

The Russian minister explained that the concept envisages involving external players in the process: the leadership of the League of Arab States and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, as well as — if the parties are interested — the permanent members of the UN Security Council to support this process.

Economic cooperation

Lavrov called strengthening ties with the GCC countries a foreign policy priority of Moscow, citing growing economic cooperation and regular high-level contacts. According to him, Russia's trade turnover with the GCC countries grew by 45% over the past year, and cooperation continues under the joint action plan for 2023–2028. He emphasized that the effectiveness of economic interaction largely depends on the stability of the region, and noted the role of the strategic dialogue in discussing regional and international issues, as well as in expanding trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian ties.