Moscow-Sana
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said today that the foreign and defense ministers of Russia and France will discuss strategic stability and relations between Russia and the European Union.
The TASS news agency quoted Zakharova as saying: During the meeting, on the sidelines of the periodic meeting of the Russian-French Security Cooperation Council, relations between Russia and NATO will be discussed, focusing on issues of strategic stability and European security.
Zakharova indicated that the issues of non-proliferation, limiting and preventing an arms race in space and relations between Russia, the European Union, Russia and NATO will be the focus of the talks.
Zakharova added: The four ministers intend to exchange views on current regional issues in Ukraine, Afghanistan, Iran and Libya.
Also on the agenda of the talks is a discussion of the settlement in the Middle East, the situation in the Asia-Pacific region, and the situation in Africa, including ensuring security in the Sahara and Sahel region, according to Zakharova.
Regarding information regarding the presence of the American guided-missile destroyer “Porter” and the command ship “Mount Whitney” in the Black Sea and the flight of American strategic bombers 100 km from the Russian border, Zakharova said: “These steps on the part of the United States lead to the formation of a group of multinational forces In addition to destabilizing the situation in the Black Sea region, which is the immediate vicinity of the Russian borders.
On the fourth of this month, the Russian Defense Ministry announced that the Black Sea Fleet was tracking an American warship that entered the Black Sea as part of NATO maneuvers, following several accidents and provocations by foreign ships in the region.
Against the background of the US military’s attempt to seize an oil shipment of an Iranian tanker in the Sea of Oman, Zakharova called on America and Iran not to escalate the situation between them and said: “The tense situation in the Gulf region is largely the result of Washington’s irresponsible policy, which with its provocative actions constantly escalates towards Iran and the region as a whole.” .
Zakharova pointed out that "Russia has previously modernized the concept of collective security in the Arab Gulf region," noting that "Tehran, as one of the main players in the region, constantly supports this concept."
Zakharova reiterated Russia's opposition to any escalation of the situation in the Middle East, calling "all parties concerned to search for ways to resolve the emerging contradictions, not exacerbate them."
The United States had confiscated a tanker carrying Iranian oil destined for export in the Sea of Oman and transferred its cargo to another tanker and led it to an unknown destination.
On Afghanistan, Russia welcomed the statements of the US special envoy on Afghan affairs, Thomas West, who called for the necessity of cooperation with Russia and China on Afghanistan. “.
