Russian and Saudi Arabian law enforcement agencies will expand cooperation for the sake of security and stability in both countries, Russian Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev said on Saturday.
"We did identify our avenues for further cooperation and decided that cooperation would expand and deepen for the sake of security and stability in our countries," he told the Rossiya 1 broadcaster.
During talks between Kolokoltsev and his Saudi counterpart, Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif Al Saud, they agreed to promote cooperation in multiple areas, including information-sharing on movement and financing of terrorists and extremists, the minister said, adding that the sides also decided to join efforts in fighting drugs and cybercrime.
Moscow and Riyadh reject attempts by any foreign forces to impose their "Western" morals and firmly stand by traditional values, Kolokoltsev added.
Kolokoltsev paid a visit to Riyadh earlier this week, where he discussed cooperation in the law enforcement sphere with his Saudi counterpart, among other matters. He visited a number of Saudi Interior Ministry departments, including the national center of security operations and the main passport department, at his counterpart's invitation.
Saudi Arabia strives to develop relations with Russia at all levels
Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan said that the Kingdom strives to strengthen and develop relations with Russia at all levels, on March 9, 2023.
The foreign minister made the remarks during a session of talks with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov in Moscow on Thursday. “I look forward to today’s discussions contributing to unifying visions and supporting bilateral relations. There is always something new in the relations between our two friendly countries, which we seek to strengthen and develop at all levels,” he said.
The visit of Prince Faisal to Moscow comes after his visit to Ukraine on Sunday for the first time since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries 30 years ago. The minister said that he discussed with Lavrov the challenges affecting the world, and they also exchanged views on international crises.
Prince Faisal praised the existing coordination in various fields between the two countries with regard to developing joint relations and coordination to face international challenges.
On his part, Lavrov welcomed Saudi Arabia’s increased interest in actively participate not only in the resolution of regional issues but also issues at the international level. The Russian minister said that he sees the importance of “permanent and mutual” coordination between the two countries at the level of ministries and government agencies and in the areas of trade, economy, and investments between Riyadh and Moscow. We always agree on the necessary steps to develop cooperation between Russia and Saudi Arabia, Lavrov added.
Saudi Arabia says its good relations with Russia would benefit all
Saudi Arabia said Saturday that its good relations with Russia would benefit all.
Speaking at a panel of the Munich Security Conference 2023 on the geostrategic role of Middle Eastern countries, Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan reiterated that his country maintains a dialogue with Kyiv and Moscow and sees a willingness in the two warring parties.
But issues between Ukraine and Russia are complex, he said.
“The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), of which we are a part, is unified in supporting dialogue as a means to resolve the problem,” he said.
Regarding the nuclear deal with Iran, he said GCC countries want to have a say in the matter.
“We want to return to the nuclear agreement, but with a comprehensive view and with Gulf participation,” he said, and warned that Iran’s obtaining nuclear weapons would prompt other countries to seek options to counter that reality.
Saudi-Russia Bilateral Trade Targeted At US$5 Billion
The Russian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Sergey Kozlov has said that there is plenty of room for growth in bilateral trade between Russia and Saudi Arabia, and that the two countries intend to reach an initial target of US$5 billion.
Kozlov stated that the bilateral trade and economic relations between the two countries are characterized by positive dynamics, and that Moscow sees Riyadh as a promising trade and economic partner whose role in global and regional affairs is steadily growing. Bilateral trade in 2022 reached about US$1.75 billion.
There are trade drivers. Russia’s relationships with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states typically revolves on a widespread regional desire to hedge against the United States. The US is seen as a waning power in some circles as the Middle East is becoming less of a core U.S. national security interest as a result of the U.S. pivot to Asia, the drawdown of the U.S. military presence in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the United States own booming domestic oil and gas production. All these point to less US influence in the region leaving countries like Russia and China to fill in the gaps.
The GCC states and Russia also share a preference for strong, borderline authoritarian governance. Most of the GCC states abstained from a UN vote criticising Russia for the Ukraine conflict, while it appears apparent that Russian President Putin and Saudi Arabia’s Mohammed bin Salman get along.
Much of the Saudi portion of the bilateral trade volumes with Russia are driven by the petroleum chemicals sector, with Saudi Arabia exporting Amino-resins, Acyclic Alcohols, and Polyacetals. Russia in return exports Refined Petroleum, Barley and other foodstuffs.
There will be other opportunities for trade and development. Saudi Arabia has officially applied to join the BRICS grouping of countries, while like Russia it is a participant in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, which also includes a growing multilateral trade section.
With Russian nationals exploring regional potential in the neighbouring United Arab Emirates, it will only be a matter of time before opportunity spill over from this transfers to Saudi Arabia, with the non-energy and services sector ripe for bilateral development.
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