Opinion | Columnists
Peace key to Mideast reform: Russia
Peace, stability and security are key to the success of reforms in the Middle East, a senior Russian diplomat said.
- By Samir Salama, Associate Editor
- Published: 23:55 October 23, 2008
Abu Dhabi: Peace, stability and security are key to the success of reforms in the Middle East, a senior Russian diplomat said.
"Without resolving conflicts in the Middle East, political and social-economic reforms will be next to impossible," Alexander Saltanov, the special envoy of the President of the Russian Federation for the Middle East, told Gulf News.
Saltanov added although there is progress in democratic reform and improvement in the formation of a civil society in the region, much work needs to be done and that requires peace, security and stability.
Saltanov feels home-grown democracy and not any Western-style reforms can be embraced in the Middle East.
"Each state is implementing democratic principles in its own way. Even more so when it comes to the Middle East - the cradle of the world religions with invaluable cultural and historical experience, national peculiarities of these countries, their customary way of life, including the religious factor, can we effectively contribute to modernisation and sustainable development, constructive cultural and civilisational dialogue, and inter-religious interaction."
Joint efforts
On how outstanding problems in the Middle East can be resolved, Saltanov said the Middle East is one of the world's most important areas, which are in urgent need of joint multilateral efforts.
"Collective action on the basis of international law can bring progress in tackling regional problems in the foreseeable future, and provide peace and security for all the countries and peoples of the region. As a participant in the main international mechanisms, first of all those of the UN Security Council and the Middle East Quartet, Russia will continue to contribute to achieving peace and stability in the region. We will co-operate in overcoming global challenges and threats, be it terrorism, proliferation of weapon of mass destruction [WMD], environment, energy and food crises."
Such a collective effort is especially needed now to curb the current financial crisis and to reform the international financial system, according to Saltanov.
Saltanov stressed that the success of sustainable development in the region will depend on the effectiveness and scope of the work done by integration mechanisms similar to those already operating elsewhere in the world.
"It is these mechanisms - provided, of course, that regional conflicts are settled successfully - that are able to give impetus to political and socio-economic reforms, adjust development levels and assure competitiveness of the economy.
"Certainly, this would enable us to respond adequately to the requirements and needs of the region, and also to create a viable alternative to the challenges from terrorists and extremists who use religion to suit their own needs."
Saltanov added in the Middle East, "we must strengthen our co-operation to resolve outstanding problems and dangerous conflicts. This applies to the comprehensive settlement of the Arab-Israeli conflict, establishing a system of collective security in the Gulf, search of political and diplomatic ways to overcome the tension around the Iranian nuclear program and normalisation in Iraq and Sudan."
On Russia's role in the indirect talks between Syria and Israel, Saltanov said a conference in Moscow, similar to that of Annapolis will be held in spring next year.
Saltanov dismissed Western criticism that Russia was behind Iran's determination to go on with its nuclear program.
Defence
"Would you think that it is in the interest of Russia to allow other parties to own WMD. WMD proliferation is against interests of Russia. It also sees that the situation in the Gulf and the surrounding areas should be seen in a fresh light. Obviously, foreign interference in the region, particularly without resolutions by the Security Council, undermines stability. So we believe that joint efforts should be exerted to set a collective security system and multi-lateral co-operation that respect sovereignty of each country," Saltanov said.
While defending Iran's right to develop a peaceful nuclear programme, Saltanov stressed that there is no evidence that the country is building a military nuclear capabilities.
"But there are a number of outstanding questions, which Iran has to answer. This can be done only by peaceful means not by threats to use force. We have a constructive dialogue with them [Iranians] to encourage more effective co-operation," Saltanov said.
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