A wreath-laying ceremony at the monument to outstanding Russian politician Yevgeny Primakov, organised by the Council of Arab Ambassadors, took place in Moscow.
The event was also attended by Special Presidential Representative for the Middle East and Africa and Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov.
The doyen of the Arab diplomatic corps and Ambassador of the Sultanate of Oman to the Russian Federation, Yousef bin Issa al Zadjali, speaking at the ceremony, noted the significant role of Primakov in promoting Russian-Arab-Islamic relations and his achievements in the Arab world.
"We express our gratitude to the Russian Foreign Ministry for providing an opportunity to speak here and for erecting this monument, which graces the park across from the Foreign Ministry building," the diplomat said.
Primakov, according to al Zadjali, "opposed all manifestations of aggression suffered by the Arab countries on the part of those who wanted to seize their wealth and thwart their development."
"Primakov was behind a number of initiatives to create forums and structures that united Russians, Arabs and Muslims to find common ground and mutual understanding in the interests of all parties. It was he who stood behind the establishment of Russian-Arab Business Council, which was designed to promote trade, mutually beneficial economic cooperation and the search for major projects for universal development and progress. He also initiated the creation of the Group of Strategic Vision “Russia-Islamic World,” which played and continues to play a tangible role in promoting relations and bringing the world outlook between Russia and the Islamic world closer. Primakov’s ideas and projects have come true and bring the desired results today," the Omani diplomat stressed.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Alexander Shcherbak / TASS