MOSCOW, March 31. /TASS/. Russia intends to focus on developing cooperation with Iran, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, as well as providing support for Syria, according to the updated Concept of the Foreign Policy approved on Friday by President Vladimir Putin’s decree.
"The Russian Federation is going to focus on developing the full-scale and trustful cooperation with the Islamic Republic of Iran, providing comprehensive support for the Syrian Arab Republic, and deepening the multifaceted mutually beneficial partnerships with the Republic of Turkey, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Arab Republic of Egypt and the other Member States of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, given the extent of their sovereignty and constructiveness of their policy toward the Russian Federation," the document said.
"The states of friendly Islamic civilization, which has great prospects for establishing itself as an independent center of world development within a polycentric world, are increasingly in demand and more reliable partners of Russia in ensuring security and stability as well as in solving economic problems at the global and regional levels. Russia seeks to strengthen the comprehensive mutually beneficial cooperation with the Member States of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, respecting their social and political systems and traditional spiritual and moral values," according to the concept.
Moscow will address "establishing a sustainable comprehensive regional security and cooperation architecture in the Middle East and North Africa, based on combining the capacities of all the states and interstate alliances of the regions, including the League of Arab States and the Gulf Cooperation Council," the document said.
Russia intends to actively cooperate with all the interested states and interstate associations in order to implement the Russia's Collective Security Concept for the Persian Gulf Region, "viewing the implementation of this initiative as an important step toward a sustainable and comprehensive normalization of the situation in the Middle East," the concept said.
The Russian side seeks to promote interfaith and intercultural dialog and understanding, consolidate efforts to protect traditional spiritual and moral values, and combat Islamophobia, including via the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. It will also focus on reconciling differences and normalizing relations among the Member States of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, as well as between these states and their neighbors, according to the document.