Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will discuss the escalating Palestinian-Israeli conflict and various regional and international issues with Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit during the latter's working visit to Moscow. Aboul Gheit's visit comes at Lavrov's invitation.
Before the trip, Aboul Gheit's spokesman Jamal Rushdie mentioned that they expected to address the ongoing escalation of the conflict in the Gaza Strip during their discussions. The visit's agenda includes an extensive conversation on various topics of interest, including regional and international matters.
The Russian Federation and the Arab League maintain regular contacts. Lavrov and Ahmed Aboul Gheit had previously met during the 78th session of the UN General Assembly in New York, where they emphasized the significance of enhancing cooperation between Russia and the League to address crisis situations in the Middle East and North Africa. Both parties also expressed their interest in organizing the sixth ministerial session of the Russian-Arab Cooperation Forum.
Settlement issues
The meeting between the Russian Foreign Minister and the Arab League secretary-general takes place amid the backdrop of the escalating conflict between Israel and Palestine, which began on October 7. The focus on enhancing security and stability in the Middle East region and North Africa is a consistent priority for both Russia and the Arab League. Additionally, the two parties share similar approaches to resolving regional crisis situations.
Russia has consistently advocated for a peaceful, political resolution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Foreign Minister Lavrov has stressed the importance of transitioning peacekeeping efforts in the Middle East to a collective approach with a leading role for regional countries. The Russian side has also pointed out that the ongoing cycle of violence, which hinders conflict resolution, is, to a significant extent, a consequence of the United States' long-standing policy of monopolizing mediation functions and its lack of interest in productive multilateral efforts. Specifically, the Russian Foreign Ministry highlighted the impasse in the activities of the "quartet" of international mediators (Russia, the United States, the EU, and the UN) due to obstruction by the US administration.
During a meeting in Moscow in July with the heads of diplomatic missions from Arab countries, Turkey, and a representative of the League, Lavrov reiterated Moscow's commitment to the internationally recognized legal framework for a Middle East settlement. This framework includes UN Security Council and General Assembly resolutions, the Arab Peace Initiative, and the "two-state formula" involving the peaceful coexistence of Palestine and Israel. Lavrov also outlined Russian proposals for a consultative meeting involving Russia, the Arab League, and regional states to synchronize peace efforts.
In their current meeting, Lavrov and the League secretary-general are expected to address crisis situations in Libya and Yemen in addition to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Special attention may also be given to the Syrian settlement, which recently returned to the League agenda. The Ukrainian crisis, which has had a notably negative impact on Arab countries, may also be discussed.
The meeting could include discussions on intensifying efforts within the framework of the Russian-Arab Cooperation Forum.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Russian Foreign Ministry
Based on materials from TASS