IRIA News

4 minute read

The foreign ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries convened in Riyadh on September 9, 2024, for the 161st Ministerial Council meeting.

This high-level gathering saw participation from foreign ministers of India, Russia, and Brazil, who held separate ministerial meetings with the GCC to address key strategic and regional issues.


Focus on Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

A significant portion of the discussions focused on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Qatari Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, who chaired the session, stressed the need for regional and international actors to push for a ceasefire and political resolution in Gaza.

“Despite the ongoing efforts of Qatar and its partners, they didn’t lead to the desired outcomes. We count on our regional and international partners to practice all forms of pressure to reach a ceasefire and to immediately embark on a political [approach] that leads to a sustainable political solution [to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict],” said Sheikh Mohammed.

He added that ending the war in Gaza would be the first crucial step toward calming the situation across the region.

GCC-Russia Strategic Dialogue

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov headed the GCC-Russia Joint Ministerial Meeting of Strategic Dialogue, emphasizing the historical importance of relations between Russia and the Gulf countries. Both sides agreed on the need to preserve and strengthen strategic cooperation, coordinating on various pressing global and regional matters.

In his opening remarks, Lavrov highlighted the growing role of the GCC in addressing the challenges the region faces, particularly concerning the ongoing Gaza conflict and tensions involving Iran and Israel. He underscored the importance of collaborative efforts to stabilize the region, stating, “The GCC will play an increased role, particularly in light of the turbulent times that the region is passing through.”

Bilateral Talks and Strategic Cooperation

Ahead of the ministerial meetings, Lavrov engaged in bilateral discussions with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan. The two diplomats reviewed Saudi-Russian relations and explored potential avenues for strengthening bilateral ties. They also discussed pressing regional and international issues.

The Saudi Foreign Ministry reported on Twitter that both leaders explored ways to enhance joint cooperation and addressed the latest developments in the regional and international landscapes.

Lavrov also held discussions with GCC Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, emphasizing the importance of deepening ties between Russia and the Gulf states, especially in areas like economy, technology, and trade. “It’s really an important priority for us to promote relations with the Gulf countries,” Lavrov noted.

In addition to his talks with Lavrov, Prince Faisal also welcomed India’s Minister of External Affairs, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, and Brazil’s Foreign Minister, Mauro Vieira. According to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), discussions with Jaishankar focused on bolstering bilateral and multilateral coordination on regional and global issues of mutual interest.

Similarly, Prince Faisal and Vieira discussed Brazil-Saudi relations, exploring ways to enhance cooperation on both bilateral and international fronts. The two officials exchanged views on matters of common concern, aiming to strengthen ties between Brazil and the GCC.

Russia-Ukraine Conflict and Broader Discussions

Later in the day, Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov addressed the media in a news conference, where he elaborated on Russia’s perspective on the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. He also commented on the prospects for peace in the region and the role of Western countries in the dispute.

According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, Lavrov reaffirmed Moscow’s commitment to developing closer relations with Gulf nations, considering this an essential priority for Russia’s foreign policy.

📹 | Foreign Minister HH Prince @FaisalbinFarhan participates in the GCC-Russia Joint Ministerial Meeting for Strategic Dialogue. pic.twitter.com/HmDUm9c700

— Foreign Ministry 🇸🇦 (@KSAmofaEN) September 9, 2024

The GCC’s 161st Ministerial Council meeting underscored the importance of strategic dialogues with key international partners, including Russia, India, and Brazil. With critical regional issues such as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and broader security concerns on the table, the council reaffirmed its commitment to fostering diplomatic solutions and enhancing cooperation with its international partners to ensure peace and stability in the region.