Russia develops initiative for collective security in the Middle East

Moscow (ANTARA) - Russia has developed an initiative to guarantee collective security in the Middle East, which was presented to Iran last May, stated the Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council, Dmitry Medvedev, on Saturday.

“There are a number of proposals that we have also discussed with our partner, Iran. We conveyed proposals to guarantee collective security in the Gulf region to our friends in Iran in May this year,” said Medvedev in an interview with the Iranian broadcasting agency, IRIB.

Medvedev added that Moscow’s initiative is based on the view that when addressing regional issues, primary emphasis must be placed on the countries located within the region, “including the Gulf or the Middle East.”

“Iran is capable of resolving all these issues on its own, by relying on constructive cooperation with Arab nations, Turkey, and Russia, which are also part of the region. We certainly do not need additional forces from outside the region there,” he said.

Medvedev emphasised the importance of Middle Eastern countries reaching agreements based on good neighbourly relations and international law.