Russian official commends ties with Kuwait

MOSCOW: Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister and presidential envoy to the Middle East and North Africa Mikhail Bogdanov praised the development of bilateral relations with Kuwait. Kuwait was the first country in the Arabian Gulf region to establish diplomatic relations with Moscow in the early 1960s, he recalled in remarks to the press. The two countries’ relations are developing steadily in various fields as they currently hold discussions on matters pertaining to bilateral cooperation based on mutual benefit on a permanent basis, added the official.

Emphasizing further, he said this includes means to develop issues of bilateral friendly relations, a political dialogue, an exchange of views on Middle East developments and issues of common interest. Russia is interested in “developing trade, investment and humanitarian ties with the State of Kuwait,” he also said. On the other hand, Moscow has always shown an “interest in listening to the Kuwaiti side’s assessments on the current developments in the Middle East and Arabian Gulf region,” he added. He pointed out that there are several issues in the Middle East whereby both can exchange views, including the developments in Iraq and Syria, including the normalization of the socio-economic situation there, alongside terrorism.

He also indicated Moscow’s interest in the current developments in Libya and Yemen, noting that Russia sees eye-to-eye with Kuwait on the need to settle the situation in Yemen. Bogdanov also said his country is keen to play a mediating role between Arab countries and Iran, if called on to do so. He expressed Moscow’s view that “the normalization of relations between Arab countries and Iran would contribute to settling many issues in the region in general.” — KUNA