Sergei Lavrov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, praised the Omani position in resolving regional and international issues describing it as "constructive and balanced".
Addressing a joint press conference with Sayyid Badr bin Hamad al Busaidy, Foreign Minister, on Wednesday, the Russian Foreign Minister said: "We have identical positions on most international issues", declaring "We value Sultanate of Oman's objective and balanced position on the Syrian crisis, and it can play a role in restoring Syria to the Arab family."
He also added, "We also affirmed to the Omani side our deep belief in the importance of activating negotiations between the Palestinians and Israelis to reach a comprehensive solution to this historical issue."
Lavrov stressed that the two sides discussed the overall bilateral relations, including political dialogue and economic and trade cooperation.
The Russian minister elaborated: "We agreed with the Omani side to expand a package of bilateral agreements, including mutual exemption of visas for citizens of the two countries, avoidance of double taxation, and a cooperation agreement between the Russian Museum and the Omani National Museum."
Sayyid Badr affirmed that the Sultanate of Oman supports all international efforts that work to make the negotiations on the Iranian nuclear file a success, adding: "We do not blame any party for disrupting the negotiations, but we support dialogue and direct talk."
SITUATION IN UKRAINE
Sayyid Badr said that the Sultanate of Oman is following with great interest the situation in Ukraine and calls on all parties to exercise restraint and resolve differences peacefully to avoid aggravating the situation. "The Sultanate of Oman also supports all international efforts, especially the efforts of the United Nations aimed at strengthening security and stability in the region," stressing the importance of dialogue and negotiation over the causes of the Ukrainian crisis in a way that guarantees security and peace for all. "Logic will assert itself in the end to reach an agreement," he confirmed.
He added, "The risk of escalation will bring a nightmare more than possible destruction, and we call on everyone to find another way to resolve this crisis. The Sultanate of Oman will remain fully committed to the United Nations regulations and international law. We will stand by all our friends as they take the difficult and bold decisions to restore peace."
RUSSIAN STAND
Sayyid Badr also affirmed the Sultanate of Oman's commitment to the existing agreements with the Opec+ group.
Commenting on Ukraine war, Lavrov said: "We informed the Omani friends about the developments of the Russian military operation in Ukraine and its geopolitical dimensions."
He confirmed that the objectives of the Russian operation in Ukraine are clear, saying "the first is to protect population in the eastern regions of Ukraine, specially in Donbas region, while the second is ensure that Ukraine, with the support of the West, does not turn into a source of a military threat to Russia."
He noted, "Russia and the Sultanate of Oman affirmed their full adherence to the principles on which the United Nations was based."
He indicated Russia has been opening daily the corridors of humanitarian passages, "but the Ukrainian extremists prevented the exit of civilians."
On the impact of the crisis on the food sector concerning the supply of wheat, grain and cooking oil to the Gulf countries, Lavrov blamed the restrictions imposed on Russia by Western countries. "These restrictions destroyed logistic and transport chains and closed our opportunities to export food, which is purely offensive by the West.
Recently, we saw a report of the United Nations Secretary-General on food and energy security, which didn't have a word on this topic, and we are surprised that this organisation ignores such issues."
He added, "There is another aspect that the regime in Kyiv does not allow the exit of dozens of ships loaded with wheat, including for this region. The regime lays mines, which makes the exit of these ships impossible. We have repeatedly put forward proposals to organise the exit of these ships, but the Ukrainians do not show any intention of cooperation."
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