Minister of Foreign Affairs Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Moscow today to discuss means of enhancing issues of mutual interests, including the crises in Syria and Yemen.

At a joint press conference with Foreign Minister Lavroy, Minister Al-Jubeir described the meeting as positive, and reflected the great keenness on enhancing the strategic relations between the two countries. Regarding the situation in Syria, Al-Jubeir said that “despite divergence in the points of view between the two countries on the Syrian crisis, there is convergence toward the importance of uniting the ranks of the Syrian opposition.” Al-Jubeir said that the Kingdom’s position “has not changed... there is no place for Assad in the future of Syria.” The minister added. “we think that Bashar Assad is part of the problem, not part of the solution.”

On Yemen, Al-Jubeir emphasized the importance of non-conditional implementation of UN Resolution 2216 to pull Yemen out of its crisis and to intensify efforts in providing humanitarian aid.

On the issue of Iraq, the Minister Al-Jubeir emphasized the importance of implementing the agreed upon reforms to ensure the rights of all the various and different sects.