Russia rejects foreign interference in Bahrain's affairs

Manama, Feb. 9 -- (BNA): The Ambassador of the Russian Federation to the Kingdom of Bahrain Victor Smirnov reiterated Moscow's rejection of any foreign meddling in Bahrain's domestic affairs stressing that Bahrainis are capable of solving their own problems by themselves away from any external interference. Smirnov told the Arabic-speaking Akhbar Al Khaleej daily said that Russia from the very outset has stressed its strong support for the National Dialogue and believes that reforms led by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa satisfy the interests of all Bahraini citizens and that after Parliament's endorsement of the Government Action Plan, Bahrain is taking a new stride on the right path. He stressed the keen interest of both leaderships in developing economic ties, particularly in the energy and gas field and there are ongoing talks regarding Russian gas supply to Bahrain as both sides seek to find perfect means to achieve this. On the occasion of the near conclusion of his seven-year ambassadorial stint in the Kingdom, Smirnov has expressed his gratitude to the Kingdom's leadership, led by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, for all the facilitations he received throughout his mission, and expressed his hope to achieve our aspirations, and that (his successor) the new Ambassador of the Russian Federation will carry on this task by finalizing the development of Russian-Bahraini relations. He said that the year he arrived in Bahrain in 2008, His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa made his first visit to Russia. The second visit by His Majesty was in 2014 to Sochi during which Hhe met Russian President Vladimir Putin. Between the two visits, the international arena witnessed many developments that included the economic crisis, Bahrain's unfortunate internal events in 2011 and the situation in Syria, he said, adding all these events had their impact on the Russian-Bahraini relations. "In spite of all the challenges, we have maintained our amicable relations, which I consider as a major outcome of my work in Bahrain," he said. He added that both Bahrain and Russia have been open with each other and that the two leaderships have always affirmed their strong support to develop bilateral relations in all fields. The ambassador recalled His Majesty the King's affirmative stance"I say yes to everything that contributes to developing the Bahraini-Russian relations", adding that the positions of His Majesty the King and President Putin were important for the relations between our two countries. He said that this does not mean we have achieved all of our aspirations or that bilateral relations between both countries reached perfection, but there is a lot which needs to be done especially in the economic and commercial fields. "During my years as Ambassador for the Russian Federation in Bahrain I tried to develop bilateral relations and expand dialogue, and both sides stressed the importance of developing these relations in all economic fields, and energy and gas were part of this; the dialogue regarding the supply of Russian gas to Bahrain still continue and both sides are seeking the perfect means to achieve this." With support from Bahrain, the "Russia-GCC countries Dialogue" Forum/Fair opened last year. Russian officials and representatives of several Russian firms participated, hoping in the near future to organize dialogue between GCC industry and commerce ministers with their Russian counterpart, he said. He said that cooperation between Russia and Bahrain continues to develop in various directions and this can be felt from what has been done until now in terms of practical steps such as Gulf Air Company's launching direct flights between Bahrain and Moscow which will encourage Bahraini businessmen to head to Russia and to contribute to developing bilateral commercial and economic relations. Regarding U.S. and some countries imposition of sanctions on Russia, he said that Russian on its own capabilities can cope with this issue and has the capabilities to do so. "The Russian government has taken many steps to face these developments and Russia is against the use of economic sanctions in political relations between countries because this violates international law." He said that Russia continues to boost its relations with its friends in Asia and with many countries around the world, and of course with Bahrain and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, as these countries neither support nor partake in the sanctions system. Regarding the bilateral relations between Bahrain and Russia he said the two countries have signed several agreements on military technical cooperation and Bahrain bought Russian military equipment. The Russian aviation sector will participate in Bahrain International Airshow where highly advanced Russian aviation equipment will be on display. Within the context of developing the bilateral relations, the ambassador cited the visit of Bahrain Music Band to Moscow in 2010 and its performance of Red Square in the rainy season which delighted the troupe members in such festive atmospheres. "I will include this in my memoirs about my work in Bahrain when I write my memoirs." He said that in 2012, Bahrain's Tylos Fair was hosted in the Armitage Museum in St. Petersburg and was inaugurated by the Wife of His Majesty King Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa in the presence of Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa. The event was a strong impetus and consolidated the cultural and touristic relations between the two countries. He added that Moscow will host in March 2015 the International Travel and Tourism Fair in which Bahraini travel and tourism companies are expected to participate. The Russian Ambassador said that there are substantial steps taken in educational cooperation whereas Russia provides academic scholarships to Bahraini students to study in Russian universities. "Actually Bahrain students began heading to Russia to study there. Also, University of Bahrain (UoB)'s President Dr. Ibrahim Janahi had participated in the 5th Anniversary of the Foundation of the Peoples Friendship University of Russia in Moscow and he explored vistas of cooperation between UoB and Russian universities in Moscow and St. Petersburg. There are real opportunities for such cooperation," he said. Regarding some attempts aimed to discourage Bahrain from developing its ties with Russia he said that what was important for Russia was to develop its relations with Bahrain. "This takes a lot of effort and persistence from both sides. We build our relations with countries, it is not part of Russia's policy to build its relations at the expense of some other countries nor to direct them against the interest of certain countries." Ambassador Smirnov expressed his gratitude to the Bahraini leadership for the level attained in the bilateral relations and substantial development as well as the possibilities and conditions accorded to him as ambassador of his country in Bahrain, which enabled him access to all Bahraini officials and events without any hindrance. The Ambassador said that the most important thing in bilateral relations is that the two countries' leaderships have provided suitable conditions in order for both sides to understand each other and push the bilateral cooperation relations forward in all directions, including parliamentary relations, adding that a Russian parliamentary delegation is expected to visit Bahrain this year. Regarding terrorist threats, he said that it was a dangerous problem complicated by difficulties to confront it, such as the sharp drop in oil prices, the high cost of combating terrorist groups which began to spread in many countries, and the global hazard of terrorism. He said that Russia and the international community this year celebrate the 70th anniversary of defeating Fascism which is a very significant event not only for Russia but also for all humankind. "We can see the beginning of the rebirth of fascism in the Daesh brutal execution of Jordanian air force pilot Muath Al Kassasbeh."