The Council for Inter-Ethnic Relations and Interaction with Religious Associations within the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation firmly condemns the act of vandalism perpetrated against the Quran, the holy book of Islam, in Stockholm, the Kingdom of Sweden. The fact that it was carried out with the approval of state and municipal authorities makes it even more appalling. This is not the first monstrous incident offending believers’ feelings in the Kingdom of Sweden. It constitutes a blatant violation of human rights and dignity. Moreover, this time it took place on the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha.

The senators of the Russian Federation have stated their position on facts of this kind many times, in particular when they condemned anti-Muslim campaigns in the Kingdom of Sweden and the Kingdom of the Netherlands during the meeting of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation on February 1, 2023. On February 4, 2023, Speaker of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation Valentina Matvienko shared her assessment of these actions by calling the desecration of the Quran a manifestation of barbarism and xenophobia. In its statement dated March 29, 2023, on the violation of religious rights in Ukraine, the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation firmly condemned, among other things, the desecration of the Holy Quran.

The Council for Inter-Ethnic Relations and Interaction with Religious Associations within the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation supports the position of Muslim states and religious communities regarding the sacrilege committed in the city of Stockholm, as well as the anti-Muslim position adopted by the authorities in the Kingdom of Sweden and other countries of the collective West. This barbaric attitude of the so-called civilised countries has no place in a multipolar world order established in the interests of the international community, with the collective West seeking to place itself in opposition to its values and sacred sites. Religious followers have every right to be appalled by the burning of sacred books and holy relics. These acts cannot affect God in any way, but attempts to offend religious feelings violate the right of religious followers to the freedom of thought, conscience and religion, while also inciting inter-religious strife.

It is obvious that the European Union shares the anti-Muslim attitude adopted by the authorities in the Kingdom of Sweden as consistent with the so-called European values. This is how the Western civilisation once again challenges the entire Muslim world, which responds with indignation to the sacrilegious treatment of its holy relics.

The Council for Inter-Ethnic Relations and Interaction with Religious Associations within the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation calls on the parliaments of countries around the world and international parliamentary organisations to publicly condemn the radicals and their patrons, and act to defend religious feelings and the rights of believers to the freedom of religion

The deputies unanimously supported the adoption of the resolution at the plenary session. “There are fundamental rights of citizens. It can’t be broken. In whatever corner of the world the event takes place, we have to evaluate and cool down presumptuous and unintelligent people,” said Chairman of the State Duma Vyacheslav Volodin

”Members of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation and all Muslims are outraged by the decision of the Swedish authorities, who issued a permit to hold a protest action of burning the Quran, the Muslim holy book at the main mosque in the city of Stockholm on June 28, 2023, the Islamic holyday of Eid al-Adha.

The Swedish authorities issued a permit, knowing that a crime would be committed aimed at insulting the religious feelings of millions of believers around the world and at inciting to ethnic or racial hatred. Such actions destroy the foundation of peace and security, friendly relations between peoples and countries, lay the groundwork for extremist acts, and grossly violate the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations.

Members of the State Duma strongly condemn another vandalism act approved by the Swedish authorities and call them to take measures to protect the religious feelings of Muslims. The violation of shrines has nothing to do with freedom of speech and religion, and with the principles of democracy.

Members of the State Duma advocated for the rights of religious believers and consider respect for the religious texts of the world's leading religious, which represent spiritual value and are an integral part of the cultural and historical heritage of the corresponding religious one of the features of civilized society“.

I am addressing citizens of Russia, the personnel of the Armed Forces, law enforcement agencies and security services, and the soldiers and commanders who are now fighting in their combat positions, repulsing enemy attacks and doing it heroically – I know this as I spoke once again with the commanders of all sections of the frontline last night. I am also addressing those who were dragged into this criminal adventure through deceit or threats and pushed onto the path of a grave crime – an armed mutiny.

Today, Russia is waging a tough struggle for its future, repelling the aggression of neo-Nazis and their patrons. The entire military, economic and informational machine of the West is directed against us. We are fighting for the lives and security of our people, for our sovereignty and independence, for the right to be and remain Russia, a state with a thousand-year history.

This battle, when the fate of our nation is being decided, requires consolidation of all forces. It requires unity, consolidation and a sense of responsibility, and everything that weakens us, any strife that our external enemies can use and do so to subvert us from within, must be discarded.

Therefore, any actions that split our nation are essentially a betrayal of our people, of our comrades-in-arms who are now fighting at the frontline. This is a knife in the back of our country and our people.

A blow like this was dealt to Russia in 1917, when the country was fighting in World War I. But the victory was stolen from it: intrigues, squabbles and politicking behind the backs of the army and the nation turned into the greatest turmoil, the destruction of the army and the collapse of the state, and the loss of vast territories, ultimately leading to the tragedy of the civil war.

Russians were killing Russians and brothers were killing brothers, while all sorts of political adventurers and foreign forces profited from the situation by tearing the country apart to divide it.

We will not allow this to happen again. We will protect our people and our statehood from any threats, including from internal betrayal.

What we are facing is essentially a betrayal. Inflated ambitions and personal interests have led to treason – treason against our country, our people and the common cause which Wagner Group soldiers and commanders were fighting and dying for shoulder to shoulder, together with our other units and troops. The heroes who liberated Soledar and Artyomovsk, towns and villages in Donbass, fought and gave their lives for Novorossiya and the unity of the Russian world. Their memory and glory have also been betrayed by those who are attempting to stage a revolt and are pushing the country towards anarchy and fratricide – and ultimately, towards defeat and surrender.

Once again, any internal revolt is a deadly threat to our statehood and our nation. It is a blow to Russia, to our people. Our actions to defend the Fatherland from this threat will be harsh. All those who have consciously chosen the path of betrayal, planned an armed mutiny and taken the path of blackmail and terrorism, will inevitably be punished and will answer before the law and our people.

The Armed Forces and other government agencies have received the necessary orders. Additional counterterrorism measures are now in effect in Moscow, the Moscow Region and several other regions. Resolute action will also be taken to stabilise the situation in Rostov-on-Don. It remains difficult; in effect, the work of civil and military authorities has been blocked.

As the President of Russia and Supreme Commander-in-Chief, and as a citizen of Russia, I will take every effort to defend the country and protect the constitutional order as well as the lives, security and freedom of our citizens.

Those who staged the mutiny and took up arms against their comrades – they have betrayed Russia and will be brought to account. I urge those who are being dragged into this crime not to make a fatal and tragic mistake but make the only right choice: to stop taking part in criminal actions.

I am certain that we will preserve and defend what we hold dear and sacred, and together with our Motherland we will overcome any hardships and become even stronger.

Permanent Representative of Russia to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation Ramazan Abdulatipov at the opening of the representative office of the North-South Club in India:

"The Indian side is very actively involved in the work of our club. The Ambassador of India in Moscow and our other colleagues were constantly involved in this work. But now a lot of work has been done to get the club's representative office in New Delhi to start working. And, accordingly, this axis is India - Iran - Russia is starting to work for real," he said.

"Expectations are high. Because India is a very important country for us, it is a very large country, it is a country of the future, it has huge potential. Especially since Russia and the Republic of India have traditionally good relations. We look forward to promising work, including direction of development of the transport corridor "North - South", - said Abdulatipov.

Dysfunctional protection

In the grand mosaic of the events in Kazakhstan, there is one detail that particularly stands out to me. It is the protesters’ over-the-top aggression against the journalists and media working on the ground. Reports of violence against media representatives and wreaking havoc in media offices come in like frontline updates. Notably, these attacks are clearly well-targeted and apparently meant to obstruct objective coverage of the rampant “purely peaceful protest” – as well as to intimidate journalists and exclude others from active dissemination of information.

I will give you just a few examples. On January 5, a group of unidentified perpetrators raided the Kazakhstani branch of the Mir Television and Radio Company in Almaty. This company has an international status and will marks its 30^th anniversary in 2022.

Reports from the scene are fraught with shocking details. Around 500 people were armed with axes and an autogenous cutter. We all know that peaceful protesters always bring along autogenous cutters, Molotov cocktails and axes. They knew where they were going and ‘peaceful’ is not exactly the right word to describe them.

They started by welding off window security bars. They smashed everything in sight, tearing off radiators (to make sure people couldn’t work in the freezing cold offices), literally hacking workplaces to pieces, destroying satellite equipment and all television hardware. One curious detail: the perpetrators obviously knew that communications might be cut off, so they had trunk walkie-talkies on them. A conclusion suggests itself that the intruders were well-prepared and organised, and plotted a coordinated attack.

There is more. The raiders damaged the heating system and the entire office was flooded, including the equipment room. The studio and the editing rooms were damaged. The office was later set on fire and everything burnt down. A representative office of the Mir International Television and Radio Company in Almaty was left in tatters. Meanwhile, offices of Kazakhstan, Khabar, Eurasia and KTK television channels and the Sputnik Kazakhstan news agency were also almost completely destroyed. During the attack on Mir, journalists, producers, camera operators and engineers were in the office. They were all blocked in the building for some time. Eventually, they were evacuated, although it took a great deal of effort. They are all alive and well.

A Sputnik correspondent was less lucky. Protesters kept him hostage for an hour until he managed to escape. A staff member of the Kazakhstan channel was also attacked by the rioters.

Here comes the most interesting fact. Neither the OSCE nor any international human rights organisation inquired about the fate of these journalists, let alone offered real help. It did not even occur to them to comment on this caveman vandalism.

The following evening, on January 6, a crew of the Almaty television channel came under fire in central Almaty as they were on their way to the city administration to film a video address by Almaty Akim (Mayor) Bakytzhan Sagintayev. Driver Muratkhan Bazarbayev was killed and a cameraman was wounded.

In other words, we are witnessing an outrageous violation of journalists’ rights, multiple attacks on their lives and obstruction of their professional duty to cover significant events during a crisis.

So where is a coherent response from international human rights institutions? Where is an adequate reaction from the OSCE and especially its Representative on Freedom of the Media? Ms Ribeiro has posted two tweets, no less. One was to condemn a firearm attack on the son of Saryagash Info Editor-in-Chief Amangeldy Batyrbekov. The other one was to express condolences to the family of the killed Almaty crew member. Not a word about the killers’ responsibility.

Excuse me, is that it? Is that everything they managed to make out from Vienna? Is that everything that was worth a reaction? Is that the kind of weighted response commensurate to the scale of violation, as our Western partners like to put it, a proportionate response by an international authority?

Do you think anybody from the office of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media even contacted Mir, from Vienna or from the OSCE office in Nur-Sultan? Of course, not. Had they called, for example, Mir Chairperson Radik Batyrshin, they would have learned many interesting – and shocking – details.

Correct me if I am wrong: does a journalist have to die for Ms Ribeiro to fork up a tweet? I am tempted to ask: why do we, members of the OSCE, including Kazakhstan, pay millions of dollars to the OSCE budget, which is spent to protect the freedom of speech and journalists, among other things, if this organisation is not engaged in any of this declared activity during a critical moment for journalists in Kazakhstan?

But money is not really the issue here. States granted institutions like the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media the right to issue objective and impartial judgements on the state of affairs in the supervised industry in order to encourage countries to ensure the highest level of democracy. The key words here are objective and impartial. Unfortunately, neither are currently visible even as traces. OSCE representatives are known to have thrown fits over a blocked website, writing up paragraphs in their reports. But when a media office is raided, set on fire and flooded at the same time, when correspondents are taken hostage and physically attacked, there is no reaction. Still, on one of numerous media freedom dates, the OSCE Representative will hold a roundtable, hand out brochures with pretty pictures and memory sticks with the OSCE logo.

This kind of neglect of one’s direct responsibilities, dysfunction and lack of professionalism can lead to the most deplorable consequences. Not only do they undermine the authority of the OSCE and its executive bodies further; rioters and looters may as well take it to mean the international community’s silent go-ahead to continue their atrocities against the media and journalists. If there is no criticism, it must be all right.

One more thing. We constantly hear about the OSCE’s novel concept of quiet diplomacy, meaning that the complicated issues of protecting journalists and the freedom of speech must be tackled by deeds rather than microphone speeches. This quiet diplomacy, however, seems to be used selectively. I will say it like it is: when it comes to media freedom, the OSCE is not dealing with its real problems, neither at a microphone, nor behind the stage nor in the quiet of their offices. They are not doing anything at all but churning out libellous reports based on the data slipped by the Big Brother through his NGOs. Shame on you.

In the grand mosaic of the events in Kazakhstan, there is one detail that particularly stands out to me. It is the protesters’ over-the-top aggression against the journalists and media working on the ground. Reports of violence against media representatives and wreaking havoc in media offices come in like frontline updates. Notably, these attacks are clearly well-targeted and apparently meant to obstruct objective coverage of the rampant “purely peaceful protest” – as well as to intimidate journalists and exclude others from active dissemination of information.

I will give you just a few examples. On January 5, a group of unidentified perpetrators raided the Kazakhstani branch of the Mir Television and Radio Company in Almaty. This company has an international status and will marks its 30^th anniversary in 2022.

Reports from the scene are fraught with shocking details. Around 500 people were armed with axes and an autogenous cutter. We all know that peaceful protesters always bring along autogenous cutters, Molotov cocktails and axes. They knew where they were going and ‘peaceful’ is not exactly the right word to describe them.

They started by welding off window security bars. They smashed everything in sight, tearing off radiators (to make sure people couldn’t work in the freezing cold offices), literally hacking workplaces to pieces, destroying satellite equipment and all television hardware. One curious detail: the perpetrators obviously knew that communications might be cut off, so they had trunk walkie-talkies on them. A conclusion suggests itself that the intruders were well-prepared and organised, and plotted a coordinated attack.

There is more. The raiders damaged the heating system and the entire office was flooded, including the equipment room. The studio and the editing rooms were damaged. The office was later set on fire and everything burnt down. A representative office of the Mir International Television and Radio Company in Almaty was left in tatters. Meanwhile, offices of Kazakhstan, Khabar, Eurasia and KTK television channels and the Sputnik Kazakhstan news agency were also almost completely destroyed. During the attack on Mir, journalists, producers, camera operators and engineers were in the office. They were all blocked in the building for some time. Eventually, they were evacuated, although it took a great deal of effort. They are all alive and well.

A Sputnik correspondent was less lucky. Protesters kept him hostage for an hour until he managed to escape. A staff member of the Kazakhstan channel was also attacked by the rioters.

Here comes the most interesting fact. Neither the OSCE nor any international human rights organisation inquired about the fate of these journalists, let alone offered real help. It did not even occur to them to comment on this caveman vandalism.

The following evening, on January 6, a crew of the Almaty television channel came under fire in central Almaty as they were on their way to the city administration to film a video address by Almaty Akim (Mayor) Bakytzhan Sagintayev. Driver Muratkhan Bazarbayev was killed and a cameraman was wounded.

In other words, we are witnessing an outrageous violation of journalists’ rights, multiple attacks on their lives and obstruction of their professional duty to cover significant events during a crisis.

So where is a coherent response from international human rights institutions? Where is an adequate reaction from the OSCE and especially its Representative on Freedom of the Media? Ms Ribeiro has posted two tweets, no less. One was to condemn a firearm attack on the son of Saryagash Info Editor-in-Chief Amangeldy Batyrbekov. The other one was to express condolences to the family of the killed Almaty crew member. Not a word about the killers’ responsibility.

Excuse me, is that it? Is that everything they managed to make out from Vienna? Is that everything that was worth a reaction? Is that the kind of weighted response commensurate to the scale of violation, as our Western partners like to put it, a proportionate response by an international authority?

Do you think anybody from the office of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media even contacted Mir, from Vienna or from the OSCE office in Nur-Sultan? Of course, not. Had they called, for example, Mir Chairperson Radik Batyrshin, they would have learned many interesting – and shocking – details.

Correct me if I am wrong: does a journalist have to die for Ms Ribeiro to fork up a tweet? I am tempted to ask: why do we, members of the OSCE, including Kazakhstan, pay millions of dollars to the OSCE budget, which is spent to protect the freedom of speech and journalists, among other things, if this organisation is not engaged in any of this declared activity during a critical moment for journalists in Kazakhstan?

But money is not really the issue here. States granted institutions like the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media the right to issue objective and impartial judgements on the state of affairs in the supervised industry in order to encourage countries to ensure the highest level of democracy. The key words here are objective and impartial. Unfortunately, neither are currently visible even as traces. OSCE representatives are known to have thrown fits over a blocked website, writing up paragraphs in their reports. But when a media office is raided, set on fire and flooded at the same time, when correspondents are taken hostage and physically attacked, there is no reaction. Still, on one of numerous media freedom dates, the OSCE Representative will hold a roundtable, hand out brochures with pretty pictures and memory sticks with the OSCE logo.

This kind of neglect of one’s direct responsibilities, dysfunction and lack of professionalism can lead to the most deplorable consequences. Not only do they undermine the authority of the OSCE and its executive bodies further; rioters and looters may as well take it to mean the international community’s silent go-ahead to continue their atrocities against the media and journalists. If there is no criticism, it must be all right.

One more thing. We constantly hear about the OSCE’s novel concept of quiet diplomacy, meaning that the complicated issues of protecting journalists and the freedom of speech must be tackled by deeds rather than microphone speeches. This quiet diplomacy, however, seems to be used selectively. I will say it like it is: when it comes to media freedom, the OSCE is not dealing with its real problems, neither at a microphone, nor behind the stage nor in the quiet of their offices. They are not doing anything at all but churning out libellous reports based on the data slipped by the Big Brother through his NGOs. Shame on you.

In the grand mosaic of the events in Kazakhstan, there is one detail that particularly stands out to me. It is the protesters’ over-the-top aggression against the journalists and media working on the ground. Reports of violence against media representatives and wreaking havoc in media offices come in like frontline updates. Notably, these attacks are clearly well-targeted and apparently meant to obstruct objective coverage of the rampant “purely peaceful protest” – as well as to intimidate journalists and exclude others from active dissemination of information.

I will give you just a few examples. On January 5, a group of unidentified perpetrators raided the Kazakhstani branch of the Mir Television and Radio Company in Almaty. This company has an international status and will marks its 30^th anniversary in 2022.

Reports from the scene are fraught with shocking details. Around 500 people were armed with axes and an autogenous cutter. We all know that peaceful protesters always bring along autogenous cutters, Molotov cocktails and axes. They knew where they were going and ‘peaceful’ is not exactly the right word to describe them.

They started by welding off window security bars. They smashed everything in sight, tearing off radiators (to make sure people couldn’t work in the freezing cold offices), literally hacking workplaces to pieces, destroying satellite equipment and all television hardware. One curious detail: the perpetrators obviously knew that communications might be cut off, so they had trunk walkie-talkies on them. A conclusion suggests itself that the intruders were well-prepared and organised, and plotted a coordinated attack.

There is more. The raiders damaged the heating system and the entire office was flooded, including the equipment room. The studio and the editing rooms were damaged. The office was later set on fire and everything burnt down. A representative office of the Mir International Television and Radio Company in Almaty was left in tatters. Meanwhile, offices of Kazakhstan, Khabar, Eurasia and KTK television channels and the Sputnik Kazakhstan news agency were also almost completely destroyed. During the attack on Mir, journalists, producers, camera operators and engineers were in the office. They were all blocked in the building for some time. Eventually, they were evacuated, although it took a great deal of effort. They are all alive and well.

A Sputnik correspondent was less lucky. Protesters kept him hostage for an hour until he managed to escape. A staff member of the Kazakhstan channel was also attacked by the rioters.

Here comes the most interesting fact. Neither the OSCE nor any international human rights organisation inquired about the fate of these journalists, let alone offered real help. It did not even occur to them to comment on this caveman vandalism.

The following evening, on January 6, a crew of the Almaty television channel came under fire in central Almaty as they were on their way to the city administration to film a video address by Almaty Akim (Mayor) Bakytzhan Sagintayev. Driver Muratkhan Bazarbayev was killed and a cameraman was wounded.

In other words, we are witnessing an outrageous violation of journalists’ rights, multiple attacks on their lives and obstruction of their professional duty to cover significant events during a crisis.

So where is a coherent response from international human rights institutions? Where is an adequate reaction from the OSCE and especially its Representative on Freedom of the Media? Ms Ribeiro has posted two tweets, no less. One was to condemn a firearm attack on the son of Saryagash Info Editor-in-Chief Amangeldy Batyrbekov. The other one was to express condolences to the family of the killed Almaty crew member. Not a word about the killers’ responsibility.

Excuse me, is that it? Is that everything they managed to make out from Vienna? Is that everything that was worth a reaction? Is that the kind of weighted response commensurate to the scale of violation, as our Western partners like to put it, a proportionate response by an international authority?

Do you think anybody from the office of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media even contacted Mir, from Vienna or from the OSCE office in Nur-Sultan? Of course, not. Had they called, for example, Mir Chairperson Radik Batyrshin, they would have learned many interesting – and shocking – details.

Correct me if I am wrong: does a journalist have to die for Ms Ribeiro to fork up a tweet? I am tempted to ask: why do we, members of the OSCE, including Kazakhstan, pay millions of dollars to the OSCE budget, which is spent to protect the freedom of speech and journalists, among other things, if this organisation is not engaged in any of this declared activity during a critical moment for journalists in Kazakhstan?

But money is not really the issue here. States granted institutions like the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media the right to issue objective and impartial judgements on the state of affairs in the supervised industry in order to encourage countries to ensure the highest level of democracy. The key words here are objective and impartial. Unfortunately, neither are currently visible even as traces. OSCE representatives are known to have thrown fits over a blocked website, writing up paragraphs in their reports. But when a media office is raided, set on fire and flooded at the same time, when correspondents are taken hostage and physically attacked, there is no reaction. Still, on one of numerous media freedom dates, the OSCE Representative will hold a roundtable, hand out brochures with pretty pictures and memory sticks with the OSCE logo.

This kind of neglect of one’s direct responsibilities, dysfunction and lack of professionalism can lead to the most deplorable consequences. Not only do they undermine the authority of the OSCE and its executive bodies further; rioters and looters may as well take it to mean the international community’s silent go-ahead to continue their atrocities against the media and journalists. If there is no criticism, it must be all right.

One more thing. We constantly hear about the OSCE’s novel concept of quiet diplomacy, meaning that the complicated issues of protecting journalists and the freedom of speech must be tackled by deeds rather than microphone speeches. This quiet diplomacy, however, seems to be used selectively. I will say it like it is: when it comes to media freedom, the OSCE is not dealing with its real problems, neither at a microphone, nor behind the stage nor in the quiet of their offices. They are not doing anything at all but churning out libellous reports based on the data slipped by the Big Brother through his NGOs. Shame on you.

H.E. Amb. Ramazan Abdulatipov, Russian Permanent Representative to the OIC, met with H.E. Amb. Ali Goutali, Director of Palestine and Al-Quds Affairs Department at the OIC. At the meeting the current situation in Palestine was discussed

On November 28-30, 2019, Ufa hosted the V annual meeting of the Group of Strategic Vision (GSV, Group) "Russia-Islamic World" dedicated to the 50th anniversary of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. The topic of the meeting was "Interfaith harmony:    the experience of Russia and member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)".

The Ufa Forum, which essentially summed up the results of the one-year activities of the Group, was attended by more than 70 delegates - Russian and foreign members of the GSV, heads of reputable international organizations and guests of honor.  Among the honored guests of the meeting were Deputy Speaker of the Federation Council Nikolai Zhuravlev, Deputy Foreign Minister, Special Presidential Representative for the Middle East and Africa Mikhail Bogdanov, Assistant Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation Samir Bakr Diab and others. 

In his speech, Chairman of GSV  "Russia-Islamic world", President of the Republic of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov noted that Russia and the Muslim world "should more actively use the potential of bilateral relations", stressing that "together, we will be able to set the order based on equality, respect for international law and justice faster" . In this regard, he recalled that the main objective of the Group is to contribute in every possible way to the further rapprochement of Russia with the Islamic world, with an emphasis on building up economic, scientific, technical and cultural-humanitarian cooperation. 

The participants of the Forum warmly welcomed the address of President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin. In his message, Russian President noted that Russia actively and successfully cooperates with the OIC in many areas, pointing to the importance of the Russian Federation and the members of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation "coordinating efforts to counter global threats and challenges, resolve regional conflicts and solve various humanitarian problems."

Welcoming messages were also received from Valentina Matviyenko, Chairwoman of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation Yousef Al-Othaimeen, as well as from a number of international Muslim organizations and heads of the subjects of the Russian Federation. Valentina Matviyenko stressed that Russia and the OIC member-states are united by strong ties of friendship and partnership, as well as commitment to the principles of the UN Charter, which "contributes to the development of international relations on the basis of equality and the rule of law", recalling the "special role" of the outstanding Russian statesman Yevgeny Primakov in strengthening relations between  Russia and the countries of the Muslim world. "Russia," Sergey Lavrov stated, "appreciates fruitful cooperation with the OIC in the interests of finding effective solutions to current problems." He also stressed that in the current conditions of turbulence in international relations, "the strengthening of interfaith harmony is particularly in demand to maintain global and regional stability."

Welcoming participants, the Head of the Republic of Bashkortostan Radiy Khabirov noted the merit of the Muslim Ummah of the Republic "in strengthening interfaith peace and harmony" in Russia, stressing that "Bashkortostan from the religious point of view is a model for all multinational and multiconfessional Russia".

In his welcoming address, OIC Secretary-General Yousef Al-Othaimeen expressed readiness to intensify cooperation with Russia, stressing that the Russian Federation, which is an observer at the OIC, is an important partner of the Organization in the international arena. He also highly appreciated the holding of the events dedicated to the 50th anniversary of the Organization during the Group meeting in Ufa and noted that this, without a doubt, clearly demonstrates the dynamically developing relations. Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the OIC 
Ramazan Abdulatipov pointed out that the activities of the Group conducted jointly with the OIC, in particular the holding of business summits and other international forums, is an important component of Russia's interaction with the member-states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, stressing that the creation of the GSV "played a role in shaping the policy of a multipolar world". He also noted that the "Muslim vector" is a significant reserve of the foreign policy of the Russian Federation.  

The participants of the meeting congratulated the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, which is, in fact, the "collective voice of the Islamic world", on its half-century anniversary, noting that for 50 years it has been resolutely and regularly defending the interests of the Muslim Ummah in the international arena. The participants of the meeting also noted that the OIC still has great potential to further strengthen its authority both in Islamic countries and in the world as a whole. In this regard, they supported the efforts of the leadership of the GSV "Russia-Islamic world" to increase cooperation with the OIC member-states.     

54 speakers presented their speeches at the plenary session. One of the working sessions was dedicated to the 90th anniversary of the birth of Yevgeny Primakov.

The participants of the meeting emphasized Yevgeny Primakov's invaluable contribution to the development of friendly and trusting relations between Russia and the Muslim states.

The Forum also included awarding the winners of Rustam Minnikhanov Award:

- the Religious Board of Muslims of the Tatarstan Republic under the leadership of Mufti Kamil Hazrat Samigullin for translation of the meanings of the Quran into the Tatar and Russian languages;

- Russian Muftis Council under the leadership of Rushan Hazrat Abbyasov, first Deputy Chairman of the RMC, for the translation of Mahmoud al-Bulgari's religious and didactic work "Nahj al-Faradis " ("The Way to Paradise") from the old Tatar language into Russian, for the significant contribution to the restoration of the spiritual heritage of Russian Muslims, Islamic education and theological heritage in Russia.

In addition, on the sidelines of the Ufa event, there was a demonstration of movies and photos dedicated to the founders of the Group of Strategic Vision "Russia-Islamic world" Yevgeny Primakov and Mintimer Shaimiev.

The Forum participants visited the exhibitions of investment projects of the Republic of Bashkortostan and the Tatarstan Investment Development Agency, the exposition of the Quran manuscript, the exhibition of Halal products produced in Bashkortostan, as well as the book exposition of the GSV. 

The participants of the meeting confirmed the importance of intensifying multi-faceted cooperation between Russia and the Muslim states in economic, scientific-technical and cultural-humanitarian spheres, noting that, in their opinion, it is necessary to use the considerable potential of the GSV as a highly effective tool of public diplomacy more actively. At the same time, they noted that due to the similarity of approaches of Russia and the Islamic states to the urgent issues of the international agenda, the intensification of bilateral cooperation seems to be a very feasible task, fulfilling of which will bring cooperation established between the parties to a qualitatively new level.

The participants of the meeting highly appreciated the unique experience of Russia in preserving centuries-old interfaith and interethnic harmony among more than 180 nationalities currently living in its territory, calling this phenomenon a very important visual example worthy for others to follow. They called for the need to unite efforts to preserve the centuries-old traditional values, which are one of the most important system-forming elements in the basis of any civil society, since their erosion leads to the degradation of the population, the growth of violence, radicalism and conflicts on religious and national grounds.  

The participants of the meeting expressed their gratitude to the Head of the Republic of Bashkortostan Radiy Khabirov and the Organizing Committee for the hospitality and providing wonderful conditions for work.

The VI meeting of the Group of Strategic Vision "Russia – Islamic world" is planned to be held in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the spring of 2020.

Ufa, November 29, 2019.

On the occasion of the fifth anniversary of Crimea's reunification with the Russian Federation, the Russian Permanent Mission to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) sent a note to the OIC General Secretariat with a set of materials for circulating them among all OIC Member and Observer States. At the same time, the Permanent Mission would like to draw attention to the fact that Crimea's reunification with the Russian Federation occurred according to the nation-wide referendum in the Republic after the coup d'etat in Kiev.

Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to OIC H.E. Dr. Ramazan Abdulatipov met on March 14, 2019 Permanent Representative of the State of Palestine to OIC H.E. Dr. Mahir Karaki.

The parties discussed ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation within OIC as well as the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. 

On the sidelines of the 46^th Session of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation's (OIC) Council of Foreign Ministers in Abu-Dhabi the Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the OIC Amb. R.G. Abdulatipov met on March 2, 2019 the Director of External Relations and Cooperation of the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO) A. Bah.

They discussed possible projects of bilateral cooperation, including the inclusion of Muslim monuments and national heritage objects of Russia, in particular Derbent, in the list of world Islamic heritage of ISESCO and holding joint cultural events as well as participation of folk artists from the Muslim republics of the Russian Federation in cultural events under the auspices of ISESCO.

March 1-2, 2019, the delegation of the Russian Federation participated in the 46^th Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in Abu-Dhabi.

The Russian delegation was represented by Ambassador-at-Large H.E. Konstantin Shuvalov, Permanent Representative to OIC H.E. Ramazan Abdulatipov, First Secretary of the Russian Embassy to UAE Mr. Maxim Slesarev, Attache of the Permanent Mission Mr. Magomedsafa Asvarov.

January 19, 2019, Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to OIC H.E. Dr. Ramazan Abdulatipov visited Permanent Representative of Saudi Arabia to OIC H.E. Dr. Zuhair Al-Idrisi.

During the meetings, both sides discussed cooperation aspects within OIC.

January 19, 2019, Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to OIC H.E. Amb. Ramazan Abdulatipov visited Permanent Representative of Egypt to OIC H.E. Amb. Mohammed Najem.

Both sides discussed general OIC issues. 

January 17, 2019, Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to OIC H.E. Amb. Ramazan Abdulatipov paid a visit to Permanent Representative of Turkey to OIC H.E. Amb. Salih Sen.

Both sided had a detailed conversation on the current OIC agenda.

February 14, 2019, Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to OIC H.E. Amb. Ramazan Abdulatipov paid a visit to OIC Assistant Secretary General for Political Affairs H.E. Amb. Abdullah Alim.

During the meeting, the parties discussed issues of Russia-OIC cooperation from the perspective of Russia’s observer status in OIC. Both sides also exchanged opinions on the Syrian political settlement process.

February 12, 2019, Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to OIC H.E. Dr. Ramazan Abdulatipov visited Permanent Representative of the State of Palestine to OIC H.E. Dr. Mahir Karaki.

The parties discussed the role of OIC in the Middle East settlement and decided to establish regular contacts between permanent representatives to OIC.

February 10, 2019, on Diplomats’ Day celebrated in Russia Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to OIC H.E. Dr. Ramazan Abdulatipov together with Russian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia H.E. Mr. Sergey Kozlov and H.E. Dr. Bagavudin Aliev, Consul General of Russia in Jeddah, visited Director General of Saudi Foreign Ministry in Jeddah H.E. Mr. Jamal Balkhoyor.

The Saudi side welcomed the intention announced by H.E. Dr. Ramazan Abdulatipov, Russian Permanent Representative to OIC, and H.E. Mr. Sergey Kozlov, Russian Ambassador, to use the status of the Permanent Representation in Jeddah for the aims of fostering multi-faceted Russia-OIC relations, as well as for promoting and strengthening bilateral relations with Saudi Arabia.

February 7, 2019, Russian Permanent Representative to OIC H.E. Dr. Ramazan G. Abdulatipov visited OIC Director General for Political Affairs H.E. Amb. Tariq Bakheet and Head of a unit of OIC General Secretariat H.E. Amb. Askar Musinov.

The parties discussed the current level of the traditionally constructive and friendly Russia-OIC relations from the perspective of a necessity of its progressive development in all fields.

February 6, 2019, Russian Permanent Representative to OIC H.E. Dr. Ramazan G.Abdulatipov paid a visit to Saudi Foreign Ministry Undersecretary for Multilateral International Affairs H.E. Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Rassi. During the meeting, also participated by Russian Ambassador H.E. Mr.Sergey Kozlov, the parties discussed issues of Russian-Saudi cooperation within OIC.

January 29, 2019 OIC Secretary General H.E. Dr. Yousef A. Al-Othaimeen received newly appointed Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation H.E. Dr. Ramazan  G. Abdulatipov who presented his accreditation letter from Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation H.E. Sergey Lavrov.

During the meeting, the parties discussed prospects of developing Russia – OIC multi-faceted relations with the regard of Russia’s intensifying ties with the Islamic world and strengthening cooperation of Islamic states.

Ladies and gentlemen,

We had good and substantive talks on a wide range of issues of mutual interest in the context of regional events and bilateral relations.

We highly value our friendly relations with the State of Palestine, which have markedly intensified over the past years, primarily due to a regular political dialogue between the presidents of Russia and Palestine.

Today, we reiterated our willingness to continue to help solidify the foundation of Palestinian statehood, resolve the urgent tasks of creating effective governing institutions and improve the socioeconomic situation.

Our trade remains modest, but the participants of the most recent meeting of the Russian-Palestinian Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation held last month discussed ways to encourage rapid and broad economic ties in all areas. In particular, they reviewed the activities which started a year ago following a Russian business mission’s trip to Palestine. Specifically, the issue is about a number of agricultural projects and creating joint ventures in industrial zones in Bethlehem and Jericho.

I’m confident that the Eurasian Economic Commission’s decision to make the State of Palestine part of the group of countries enjoying preferential tariffs will help promote economic ties and trade.

The number of Russian tourists is on the rise. Last year, 360,000 Russian citizens visited Palestine, primarily, holy places, which is almost 20 percent more than the year before.

This year, Palestinian students received 150 state scholarships for studying at Russian universities.

In turn, we appreciate the fact that the leadership of Palestine is encouraging the spread of the Russian language in their state. Russian is taught at the Russian-Palestinian Friendship School built with Russia’s assistance, the Russian Centre for Science and Culture in Bethlehem and its branch based in Hebron.

We are energetically promoting cooperation with the Palestinians in the sphere of culture. We took part in creating a multi-purpose complex in Bethlehem which is now fully operational. The historical centre of Bethlehem across from the Church of the Nativity is being renovated by Russian specialists and with our country’s financial support.

The museum and park complex, which is home to cultural events and guided tours, was created in Jericho with our participation and enjoys wide popularity. An archaeological exhibit is being built there following the joint Russian-Palestinian archaeological mission.

Russia has provided and will continue to provide humanitarian aid to the Palestinians through bilateral channels, the World Food Programme and the World Health Organisation.

When reviewing the Middle East peace process, we expressed our deep concern about the deteriorating relations between the Palestinians and the Israelis. We agree that it is important to work to prevent the escalation of tension, which plays into the hands of extremist forces in the Middle East and North Africa. As you may be aware, Russia’s initiative to hold a meeting of the leaders of Palestine and Israel in Moscow without preliminary conditions in order to consider all the many problems that are not growing any smaller, is still highly relevant.

Russia will continue working to create conditions to resume the negotiating process in the interest of achieving a comprehensive, fair and lasting settlement on the well-known international legal basis. The UN General Assembly supported this recently with an overwhelming majority of votes. This provides for creating an independent Palestinian state within the corresponding borders, which would coexist in peace and security with its neighbours.

We touched on US policy, which has for a long time now been trying to present the result of its mediating mission to the international community as the “deal of the century.” No one has seen this deal yet. Our common position is that international mediation should nevertheless be carried out in collective formats. The Quartet, which includes Russia, the United States, the UN and the EU, is the best option, which should work closely with the League of Arab States.

Of course, we see that certain external players want to push the Palestinian problem into the background, downgrade it as a priority in regional affairs. We believe that early restoration of Palestinian unity is of particular importance if we want to counter such attempts.

Russia maintains regular contacts with all representatives of Palestinian society. In 2017, we held a multilateral round of intra-Palestinian dialogue. Today, we discussed the possibility and feasibility of holding this dialogue again in 2019 with the participation of all Palestinian forces, including Fatah and Hamas.

We agreed to maintain contacts on all the issues discussed today and other matters that may show up on our agenda.

I’m thankful to my colleague, Foreign Minister of the State of Palestine Riyad al-Maliki, for the very good work we did together today.

Question: What do you think about the prospects of a Middle East settlement given US President Donald Trump’s hostile statements on Palestine?

Sergey Lavrov: We are worried by the attempts to undermine the international legal foundations of the Palestine-Israel settlement, which are fixed in UN resolutions, including binding ones. We are seeing how easily the US renounces its international legal agreements, such as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action on Iran’s nuclear programme, which was approved by the UN Security Council, and now the INF Treaty and many other documents that concern not only security and non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction but also trade and the economy. Such revisionism as regards international law and attempts to replace it with some rules that Western countries are inventing and trying to impose on others, point to a very dangerous trend.

As for the Palestine-Israel settlement, it is no secret for anyone that for many years Washington has sought to uphold Israel’s interests and consider its position in all respects. We are acting in the same vein, considering our special relations not only with Palestine but also with Israel. We want to help reach a stable agreement that will ensure Israel’s legitimate security interests. However, they should be part of the balance of Palestinian and Israeli interests sought by all valid UN resolutions and the UN-approved Arab Peace Initiative.

Therefore, we believe, as my colleague has already said, that no agreement can be reached single-handedly for all the importance of the US role. Clearly, it will likewise be impossible to reach such an agreement without the US. So it is necessary to return to the collective formats of the Quartet of international mediators – the US, Russia, UN, and the European Union – in close coordination with the Arab League.

It is very dangerous to look at all regional problems through the prism of confronting Iran, as we are regrettably seeing from the US and some of its allies. This is a highly dangerous policy that is fanning confrontation and is fraught with a Shia-Sunni explosion in the Islamic world.  If this happens, the Palestinian issue will simply pale in comparison to the much more painful crisis in the region.

Problems in this region, as anywhere else, should be resolved only through dialogue rather than on the basis of ultimatums, demands and dictates. It is necessary to sit at the negotiating table and come to terms. This also applies to the problems that have accumulated in relations between Russia and the West. It is essential to work on all international issues – be it the Palestine-Israel peace process, the problems between the Arabs and Iranians in the Gulf region or relations between Russia and the West – on the basis of equality and mutual respect.

Question: Today you have revived the Russian proposal for the Palestine-Israel meeting. At which stage is this initiative? What or who is obstructing its implementation?

Sergey Lavrov: Indeed, we regularly revive this proposal. Every time the President of Russia meets with Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu or President of the State of Palestine Mahmoud Abbas, he reminds them of this proposal that was made a couple of years earlier. Abbas always says that he is ready for such a meeting without any preconditions, as Netanyahu asked. The Israelis do not reject the possibility in principle but are not yet ready to fix a date.

As for what is obstructing the proposed meeting and what can help bring it about, the answer is clear. It is obstructed by the absence of Palestinian unity and may be facilitated by the restoration of this unity. All Palestinians should speak in the same voice through the legitimate structures in Ramallah.

Question: In what way will the withdrawal of US forces from Syria announced by President Trump affect the alignment of forces in the Palestine-Israel conflict, considering that Iran maintains a presence there?

Sergey Lavrov: Any withdrawal of troops that are illegally deployed in this or another country is a step in the right direction. But it raises many questions. Have the details of this initiative been coordinated? How will it be carried out, if at all?

At yesterday’s news conference President of Russia Vladimir Putin mentioned that the US withdrew from Afghanistan more than once, returned and withdrew again. There are other examples, such as Iraq. The situation was similar there: they withdrew and then came back.

I would prefer to watch the implementation of the initiative following its announcement. To my knowledge, many people questioned it in the US. Let’s wait and see.

December 14, 2018 the “parliament” in Pristina decided to transform the Kosovo Security Forces into a full-fledged Kosovo “army”. This step is a gross violation of the UN Security Council Resolution 1244, aimed to seriously exacerbate the situation in Balkans, which may lead to repercussions of the armed conflict in the region.

The rhetoric of several USA, EU politicians and NATO’s senior generals, attempting to convince themselves and those around them that Pristina’s decision does not alter the essence of the Kosovo Security Forces is astonishing. In fact, it is about doubling its numbers, creating reserves, and the most important – changing the essence of the forces, which had until recently served as civil defense. With the assistance of the USA and several NATO states, the Kosovo Albanian soldiers are undergoing intensive training, weapons and equipment supplies to the Kosovars are increasing.

Still, the Western capitals and Brussels of the EU ignore the constructive and responsible policy of Belgrade, aimed at reaching a compromise, reducing tensions. In particular, the Serbian leadership refrained from taking retaliatory measures as Pristina introduced 100-percent tariffs on imports from Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina in November 2018, which in fact were targeted to create disastrous conditions for the Serbs of Kosovo, continue the ethnic cleansing of the non-Albanian population.

We state that the Kosovo “Prime Minister” R. Haradinai, who under the USA influence took upon the course of exacerbating the crisis and systematically threats to renew hostilities and war in the Balkans, represents failure of the actively imposed by the Western propaganda concept of creating “statehood” of Kosovo. Obviously, Kosovo turns into a hearth of instability, a source of conflict in the region. The mediating role of the European Union in the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina failed.

We presume that the international contingent in Kosovo, primarily UNMIK and the Kosovo Force, in accordance with their mandates, acting in conformity with the paragraphs 9 “b” and clause 15 of UNSC resolution 1244, is obliged to take immediate and comprehensive measures for demilitarization and disbandment of any armed Kosovo Albanian formations.

October 9, 2018 the second round of Russia-OIC counter terrorism consultations took place in Moscow. The parties discussed in detail key issues of bilateral cooperation in the counter terrorism field, shared their views on the regional threats of terrorism, particularly in the Middle East.

Following the consultations, Deputy Foreign Minister Oleg Syromolotov received the OIC delegation headed by Assistant Secretary General for Political Affairs Abdulla Al Alim.

October 8, 2018 the Russian Foreign Ministry's special representative for cooperation with the Alliance of Civilizations, Ambassador at Large Konstantin Shuvalov conducted annual political consultations with the delegation of OIC headed by Assistant Secretary General for Political Affairs Abdulla Al Alim.

During the negotiations, the parties discussed the current state of
Russia-OIC relations, exchanged opinions on settlement of issues in Middle Eastern and African OIC member states.

Following the consultations Special Presidential Representative for the Middle East and Africa, Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov received the OIC delegation.

Despite the general normalization of the situation in the Idlib de-escalation zone, the militants of the remaining terrorist groups do not abandon their attempts to destabilize it.

We have repeatedly informed the public about the attempts of radical militants and the White Helmets organization, to organize provocations using toxic substances to accuse government forces of using chemical weapons against the civilians.

The Russian Centre for Reconciliation of Opposing Sides has information that on October 27, terrorists of Turkistan Islamic Party delivered from Maarrat al-Numan 20 containers with chlorine to carry out provocations.
Their unloading was conducted in the settlements of Kafr Nabl and al-Hawash.

Local civilians reported to the Russian Centre for Reconciliation that this group of White Helmets searched for residents who would like to take part in staged video shooting in exchange for food.

In addition, similar provocations are planned in other parts of Syria.

Yesterday, civilians of Aleppo province received information about the preparing of the next such action by the militants. To carry it out, members of the White Helmets organization arrived in Azaz, Mare and al-Rai settlements with professional video equipment, and containers with poisonous substances.

Russian military experts are closely monitoring the situation. Six special radiation, chemical and biological reconnaissance vehicles were deployed at Russian posts in close proximity to the demilitarized zone in Idlib province. The crews of these vehicles will regularly assess the radiation, chemical and biological conditions.

Briefing by the official representative of Russian Ministry of Defence Major General Igor Konashenkov

(October 31, 2018)

Militants of armed groups do not abandon their attempts to destabilize the situation in the Idlib de-escalation zone. The Russian Center for Reconciliation received information from the residents of the Aleppo province that militants of illegal armed formations are preparing for new provocations with the use of chemical agents aimed at accusing the government forces of using chemical weapons against civilians.

For its implementation, a few dozen members of the White Helmets organization arrived in the settlements of Azaz, Marea and Chobanbey of the ALEPPO province. Earlier, containers with poisonous substances, presumably with chlorine, were delivered to closed settlements from the city of Jisr al-Shughur of the Idlib province in trucks.

Currently, the members of the White Helmets organization are conducting filming with the participation of civilians unknown to local residents.

According to the information coming to the Russian Center for Reconciliation on the contact line in the area of the Marea settlement, the militants will provoke a return fire from the Syrian army. Then, on the territory controlled by illegal armed groups, artillery shooting with poisonous substances, allegedly produced by the units of the armed forces of the Syrian Arab Republic, will be staged. After this, the world will again be presented with the next victims of the use of "chemical weapons" by government forces. It is possible that at the same time, the militants will attempt to occupy the settlement of Tall Rifat, which separates their positions between Azaz and Afrin settlements.

The Russian Centre for Reconciliation of Opposing Sides closely monitors the situation in the area and will inform the public in a timely manner about further developments. The Russian Centre for Reconciliation of Opposing Sides urges leaders of illegal armed formations operating  in the Idlib de-escalation zone to cease hostilities and move towards peaceful settlement of the situation in areas they occupy.

Briefing by Russian Centre for Reconciliation of Opposing Sides in Syria (October 29, 2018)

October 29, 2018 Coordinator of the Group of Strategic Vision “Russia – Islamic World” Veniamin Popov and Deputy Director of the Foreign Affairs Department of the Head of Tatarstan’s Executive Office Marat Gatin met with Minister of Trade and Investments of Saudi Arabia Majid Al Qasabi in Riyadh. During the meeting the parties discussed relevant issues of mutual cooperation within the framework of RIW Group, in particular - a principal decision was reached to conduct the 5^th meeting of RIW Group in Saudi Arabia in 3Q 2019.

October 15, 2018 Russian President’s Special Envoy to Syria Alexander Lavrentiev met in Riyadh with the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Muhammed bin Salman. The parties discussed the latest developments of the Syrian crisis.

Deputy Foreign Minister of The Russian Federation Sergey Vershinin and Russian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Sergey Kozlov also attended the meeting.

October 15, 2018 Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin met with the UN Special Envoy to Yemen Martin Griffiths in Riyadh.

The parties discussed the current conditions in Yemen and perspectives for political settlement.