4th Arab-Russian Cooperation Forum condemns terrorism, calls for dialogue among civilisations, cultures and religions

WAM -- The Fourth Session of the Arab-Russian Cooperation Forum condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, committed by whomsoever, wherever and for whatever purposes, reaffirming that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable regardless of their motivation; and determine to combat its acts, eradicate its roots and dry out its financial and intellectual sources.

The Fourth Session of the Arab-Russian Cooperation Forum was hosted at the level of Foreign Ministers by the United Arab Emirates on February 1st, 2017 in Abu Dhabi.

In its final communique issued at the end of its Fourth Session in Abu Dhabi, the Forum reaffirmed the need to combat terrorism by all means in a decisive, unified, coordinated, inclusive and transparent manner, without double standards and in strict accordance with the principles of the Charter of the United Nations and the International Law, while underscoring the leading coordinating role of the United Nations in these efforts.

The Ministers affirmed that terrorism cannot and should not be associated with any religion, nationality or civilisation; and underline the importance of promoting dialogue, tolerance and understanding among civilisations, cultures, peoples and religions.

The Ministers affirm commitment to the promotion and respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms, taking into consideration the importance of national and regional particularities and various historical, cultural and religious backgrounds; as well as stress the need for complete respect for the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of countries, and the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs and good-neighborly relations; and call for settlement of outstanding issues and crises through peaceful means and comprehensive dialogue.

The Minister condemned the Israeli settlement policy, which violates international law and is based on the construction and expansion of illegal Israeli settlements in the territories of the occupied State of Palestine that imperil the viability of the two-State solution and undermines the establishment of a geographically contiguous Palestinian State; express concern over the attempts aiming to legitimise the settlement activities through enacting Israeli laws; and call upon the Israeli government to refrain from providing any political and logistical support to settlers, particularly those who are engaged in brutal acts of violence against Palestinian civilians and their properties.

On Syria, the Minister stressed the importance to preserve the unity, sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Syria, reaffirming that the only possible solution to the Syrian crisis transpires through political means, achieved through the participation of all Syrian parties in a comprehensive Syrian led and Syrian owned political process that meets the Syrian people’s aspirations, according to UNSC Resolution 2254 (2015), and the Geneva (1) Communique on 30th June 2012/.

With regards to Libya, the Ministers reiterated respect to the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Libya, and reject any foreign interference and affirmed the inclusive political solution to the Libyan crisis through adherence to the full implementation of the Libyan Political Agreement signed in Sukhairat/Morocco (17/12/2015), endorsed by Security Council Resolution 2259 (2015).

As far as Yemen concerned, they emphasised commitment to the unity, sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Yemen; and support the aspirations of the Yemeni people for freedom, democracy, social justice and development; emphasise support for the legitimate government led by President Abd Rabbo Mansour Hadi and determine the urgent need to restore the legitimate authority of the state through a peaceful settlement of the conflict, in accordance with the Gulf Cooperation Council Initiative and its implementation mechanism, the outcomes of the National Dialogue Conference, and United Nations Security Council relevant resolutions, particularly Resolution 2216; and commend, in this regard, the efforts exerted by the United Nations Secretary-General Special Envoy for Yemen Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed.

As for Iraq, the Ministers reaffirmed full commitment to the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Iraq; underline the importance of non-interference in its internal affairs; call for the non-presence of any foreign forces without the approval of the Iraqi Government; and express hope that Turkey and Iraq will settle their tensions in Northern Iraq through dialogue, stressing that any military aid or support to Iraq must be based on a previous consent from the Iraqi government.

The Ministers stressed on the need to activate dialogue among civilisations, cultures and religions as a strategic option, including seeking to preserve national identity and cultural particularity, respect for cultural pluralism, so as to contribute to restoring and deepening the concepts of peace, security and justice, promoting the values of tolerance and respect, increasing mutual understanding among various nations and peoples, confronting all forms of violence and religious extremism, addressing racist manifestations and racial or religious discrimination more

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