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RIYADH: ��������’s Deputy Minister Abdulrahman Al-Rassi met his Russian counterpart Vershinin Sergey Vasilievich at the sidelines of the ministerial meeting of the Russia-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Strategic Dialogue in Sochi.

The two officials explored ways to enhance Saudi-Russian bilateral relations and also discussed the latest regional and international developments, and efforts made to address them, state news agency SPA reported

The Sochi dialogue is an important platform for strengthening relations between the two sides and exchanging views on regional and international issues of common interest, including threats to regional and global security, according to GCC Secretary General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi.

The meeting comes amid circumstances marked by numerous crises facing the region and the world, including political and security challenges that affect security and stability, Albudaiwi said, in a report from SPA.

He emphasized that GCC nations’ belief that that the optimal way to resolve all conflicts and disputes is through negotiations and peaceful, diplomatic means, prioritizing dialogue and respecting the rule of law particularly those that align with international laws that ensure the preservation of security and stability and the achievement of greater prosperity and development.

The GCC foreign ministers and Russian foreign affairs minister Sergey Lavrov earlier issued a jointed statement strongly condemning the Israeli attack against Qatar.

In their statement, the ministers considered the “attack a flagrant violation of international laws and norms, a blatant assault on the sovereignty of the State of Qatar, and a deliberate undermining of diplomatic efforts aimed at achieving security and stability in the region.”

They also warned that the absence of a serious and decisive international stance will have serious repercussions for regional and international peace and security.

RIYADH: The Royal Commission for Riyadh City on Thursday launched the Real Estate Balance Platform to receive applications from citizens seeking residential land in the capital.

The initiative follows directives announced earlier in the year by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to stabilize the property sector by making land available at affordable prices.

The RCRC said it aimed to provide between 10,000 and 40,000 plots annually over the next five years, priced at no more than 1,500 riyals ($400) per sq. meter, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Applicants must be Saudi citizens who are either married or over the age of 25, have lived in Riyadh for at least three years and own no other property. The deadline for submissions is Oct. 23.

Successful applicants will be required to build on their land within 10 years or risk forfeiture, with resale and transfer prohibited during that period except for mortgages used to finance construction.

The commission said that registering on the platform did not guarantee allocation. It also stressed that the platform, available at , was the sole channel for applications and that it was not represented by any intermediary.

Details and updates will be issued through official RCRC channels, with inquiries handled via its call center.