MOSCOW, June 10 (Sputnik) — Lavrov expressed Russia's concern over the escalation between Qatar and some Arab states.
"The reports about this escalation, the steps taken by some Arab countries on severing ties with Qatar raised concerns [in Moscow]," the Russian foreign minister told his Qatari counterpart.
He emphasized that Moscow does not want to interfere in the domestic affairs of other countries or bilateral relations between them, but situation around Qatar raises concerns in Russia and therefore Moscow stands for dialogue to settle disagreements between the Arab countries.
"In line with our principles, we interfere neither in the domestic affairs of other countries nor in their bilateral relations. However, we cannot be glad about the situation, when relations between our partners are getting worse."
The Russian foreign minister stressed that Russia promotes direct dialogue as a means of solving disagreement.
"Only through direct dialogue it is possible to better understand each other's concerns, look at the ways of solving these concerns, ensure transparency in all these issues," Lavrov added.
Moscow is convinced that the main threat posed to the Gulf countries is terrorism, so it is necessary to ensure the unity of the states in the region and the external players for countering it effectively, he said.
"Of course, it is necessary to see the important thing behind what is going on. And the important thing, we believe, is that for the states of the region as well as outside the region, the main threat today is terrorism. It is crucially important to concentrate on the cooperation and uniting the efforts for preventing and neutralizing this threat."
"It is absolutely obvious for us that for the most effective actions on this front it is important to secure unity of the Arab League, the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, as well as all other countries of the region and countries outside the region," Lavrov stressed.
The minister noted that, "from these positions we are maintaining contacts with the majority of the participants of the ongoing processes, the telephone talks of Russian president [Vladimir Putin] and his colleagues in the region are carried out."
The Maldives took the same step, citing extremism and terrorism concerns. Mauritius joined the boycott. Mauritania broke off diplomatic ties with Qatar while Jordan downgraded ties with the country on June 6. The Comoros joined the campaign on June 7.
The Qatari Foreign Ministry rejected the accusations of Doha's interference in other countries' domestic affairs and expressed regret over the decision of the Gulf States to cut off the diplomatic ties with it.
