Ashraf AboArafe
His Excellency Mohammed bin Ahmed Al Yamahi, Speaker of the Arab Parliament, met with His Excellency Alexander Babakov, Deputy Speaker of the Russian Duma, as part of his official visit to the Arab Republic of Egypt. Al Yamahi affirmed the Arab Parliament’s commitment to strengthening parliamentary relations with the Russian Federation at all levels. He pointed in this context to his successful visit, leading a parliamentary delegation to the Russian Federation last February, and the positive and fruitful results that will contribute to strengthening Arab-Russian relations. Most notably, the visit resulted in the signing of a tripartite memorandum of understanding between the Arab Parliament, the Russian Federation Council, and the Russian Duma.
Al Yamahi added that the Arab Parliament has already begun implementing the results of this visit by applying for observer status with the Parliamentary Assembly of the Commonwealth of Independent States, currently chaired by the Russian Parliament, and by joining the BRICS Plus Parliamentary Forum. Al-Yamahi also affirmed the Arab Parliament’s keenness to establish the Arab-Russian Parliamentary Forum, which was discussed during his recent visit to Moscow. This forum is an important institutional mechanism for strengthening relations between the Arab Parliament and the Russian Parliament in both chambers (the Federal Council and the State Duma).
The Speaker of the Arab Parliament emphasized that Arab-Russian relations have witnessed remarkable progress recently at all levels. In this context, he affirmed the Arab Parliament’s support for President Vladimir Putin’s initiative to hold the first Arab-Russian summit at the level of heads of state from both sides. He expressed his confidence that this initiative will advance Arab-Russian relations to a more advanced and stronger stage at all levels.
For his part, His Excellency Mr. Alexander Babakov, Deputy Speaker of the Russian State Duma, affirmed his country’s great appreciation for the Arab Parliament’s commitment to strengthening relations with the Russian Parliament. He emphasized that there are many areas in which relations between the two sides can be strengthened, including inviting the Arab Parliament to participate regularly in events organized in the Russian Federation. He affirmed his support for the establishment of the Arab-Russian Parliamentary Forum as soon as possible, and his support for the Arab Parliament’s accession to the BRICS Plus Parliamentary Forum, considering this grouping has become one of the most important global economic blocs.
Mr. Babakov indicated that the Speaker of the Russian Duma intends to visit the Arab Republic of Egypt next year and is honored to deliver a speech at one of the Arab Parliament’s plenary sessions. This was warmly welcomed by the Speaker of the Arab Parliament, and an agreement was reached on early coordination between the two sides regarding this visit.
During the discussions, views were exchanged on current developments in the Middle East, most notably the ongoing aggression by the occupying entity against the Gaza Strip. The Deputy Speaker of the Russian Duma affirmed his country’s full support for the positions of Arab countries regarding the need for an immediate cessation of this aggression. The developments in several Arab countries experiencing crises were also discussed, and both sides emphasized the need to reach final political settlements to these crises, free from any foreign interference and in a manner that preserves the security, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Arab countries.
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