New York, Sept. 24 (BNA): The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chairman of the current session of the Ministerial Council, His Excellency Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, chaired today the delegation of the Gulf Cooperation Council in the joint ministerial meeting between their Highnesses, Excellencies, and Foreign Ministers of the GCC countries, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, His Excellency Sergey Lavrov, at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City, on the sidelines of the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly.

The meeting was attended by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the United Arab Emirates, His Excellency Khalifa Shaheen Al Marar, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar, His Excellency Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs In the State of Kuwait, His Excellency Dr. Shaikh Ahmed Nasser Al-Mohammed Al-Sabah, the Head of the Mission of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the United Nations, His Excellency Ambassador Abdullah bin Yahya Al-Mouallimi and the Head of the Mission of the Sultanate of Oman to the United Nations, His Excellency Ambassador Mohammad Hassani.

During the meeting, both sides discussed the distinguished Gulf-Russian relations and their development at all levels. They also reviewed areas of strengthening joint cooperation between the GCC countries and the Russian Federation, based on the strategic dialogue mechanisms that were launched in November 2011.

Their Excellencies also discussed political and security developments in the region, especially the latest security and humanitarian situation in Afghanistan, and ways to achieve peace and resolve issues in the Middle East, particularly the Palestinian issue, the Iranian nuclear file, and the Syrian crisis.

The meeting was attended by the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Political Affairs, His Excellency Dr. Shaikh Abdullah bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, the Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Bahrain to the United Nations in New York, His Excellency Ambassador Jamal Faris Al-Rowaiei, and the delegation accompanying the Foreign Minister.

Source: Bahrain News Agency