MANAMA, January 28 (RIA Novosti) - Russia introduced its concept of regional security in the Persian Gulf at a conference in Bahrain's capital Manama on Monday, a deputy foreign minister said.
Alexander Saltanov said at the Dialogue of Civilizations conference in Bahrain that the concept is based on "consecutive steps toward collective security, taking into consideration the interests of all coastal states and other countries involved."
"Its long-term goal could be to establish a security and cooperation organization in the Gulf area," he added.
The regional organization, as seen by Russia, should promote cooperation in various spheres, such as security, the economy, culture and science between all the countries concerned, not just those in the region.
He said that the initiative could be implemented after regional problems, such as the current crisis in Iraq and the Iranian nuclear dossier, have been resolved.
