By RIA Novosti
Manama (Bahrain) : Russia has called for collective security in the Persian Gulf that can serve the interests of all littoral states and other countries in the region.
Presenting Russia’s views on regional security in the Persian Gulf at a conference in this capital city of Bahrain, Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Saltanov Monday said his country’s concept in this regard was based on “consecutive steps towards collective security, taking into consideration the interests of all coastal and other countries in the region”.
“Its long-term goal could be to establish a security and cooperation organisation in the Gulf area,” he added.
The regional organisation, as seen by Russia, should “promote cooperation in various spheres, such as security, the economy, culture and science” between all the countries concerned, not just those in the region, the Russian minister said.
He also said the initiative could be implemented after regional problems, such as the current crisis in Iraq and the Iranian nuclear dossier, have been resolved.