MOSCOW, October 10 (RIA Novosti) – Russian President Vladimir Putin and King of Bahrain Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa will discuss the Middle East counterterrorism issues, including efforts to combat the Islamic State (IS) militants, during their upcoming talks in the Russian city of Sochi on October 12, a presidential aide said Friday.
"Of course, the situation in the Middle East and actions against the IS will be discussed," Yury Ushakov said, adding that "trade and economic issues, including energy," are also on the agenda.
"At the upcoming meeting, the development of bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, energy, financial and humanitarian spheres will be in focus. The exchange of opinions on key issues on the international agenda, in particular the situation in the Middle East and North Africa, is also expected," a statement by the Kremlin press service says.
Following the talks, Putin and the Bahraini monarch are expected to attend Russia's first ever Formula 1 Grand Prix, which is taking place at the Sochi Autodrom on October 10-12.
The IS jihadist group, also known as the Islamic State of Iraq and Greater Syria (ISIS) or the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), has been fighting the Syrian government since 2012. In June, the IS launched an offensive in northern and western Iraq. It seized large areas of both countries and proclaimed an Islamic caliphate on the areas under its control.
