(MENAFN- Qatar News Agency) Moscow December 25 (QNA) - HE Foreign Minister of Qatar Dr. Khalid bin Mohammed Al Attiyah said Friday that the discussions held with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov were constructive.
HE the Qatar Foreign Minister said that bilateral relations with Russia were based on respect. His Excellency also highlighted bilateral trade and cooperation in the field of energy expressing his hope of further cooperation in the future.
HE Al Attiyah was speaking in a joint press conference with his Russian counterpart. HE the Qatari minister said that the international community stands in the face of massive responsibilities in light of the terrorism threat that faces the Middle East. His Excellency said that such a threat requires Arab countries working with friendly nations to establish security and stability hence today's visit. HE the Minister added talks with Lavrov were to exchange views on developments in the region and stress the importance of maintaining peace.
The Syrian developments was the top priority of today's talks HE Al Attiyah said. HE the Minister stressed that the international community must seek a resolution to the Syrian crisis based on the Geneva agreement rather than starting from scratch. His Excellency warned that failing to find a resolution to the Syrian crisis will not benefit any party.
HE Al Attiyah highlighted that Qatar's position on Syria was establishing a transitory ruling authority with full powers. The second aspect of Qatar's position was to establish security and stability in Syria in order to complete the transitory phase. HE the Minister also highlighted the importance of committing to a process of transitional justice in Syria.
On terrorism HE the Minister said that its threat grows as the violence of dictatorships continue. As a result HE the Minister added the State of Qatar condemns any acts of violence against Arab people.
Discussing Palestine HE the Minister said that Israel has to end occupation of Palestinian land taken in 1967 and recognize an independent state of Palestine with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Responding to a question on Qatar's agreements with Russia on the Syrian crisis HE the Minister said there were many points both parties can build on. One of them was the unity of Syrian land and the transition of the country towards democracy. As for differences HE the Foreign Minister pointed to the legitimacy of Bashar Al Assad. Commenting further on the matter HE the Foreign Minister expressed his appreciation that Russia was against using violence to topple governments. HE the Minister on the other hand said that Russia's commitment to combatting terrorism should render Al Assad illegitimate as he was the biggest supporter of terrorism in Syria. HE Al Attiyah highlighted that Al Assad's regime killed and displaced more than five million people.
HE the Foreign Minister said that the State of Qatar was against labelling all armed opposition in Syria highlighting that it was important to first understand why each group resorted to arming itself.
Moving on to energy and the fall of oil prices HE the Minister said that both Russia and Qatar were committed to providing the world with safe energy.