GCC-EU Foreign Ministers Stress Importance of Strengthening Mutual Cooperation

Foreign Ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and European Union (EU) countries underlined the importance of further strengthening of relations to face regional challenges, and to establish a robust and effective basis for the regional and international stability and security. 
In a joint statement issued at the conclusion of the 25th session of the GCC-EU Joint Ministerial Council, held in Brussels on Monday, the two sides welcomed the strengthening of their political dialogue, especially through holding regular meetings of senior GCC-EU officials, such as the latest meeting which was held in Brussels on April 14, 2016. 
The session was co-chaired by Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Adel bin Ahmed Al Jubeir, the Chairman of the current session of the GCC Ministerial Council, and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and the Vice-President of the EU Commission Federica Mogherini, in the presence of GCC Secretary General Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani. 
The ministers exchanged views and identified common concerns and priorities with regard to the situations in the region, particularly in Yemen, Iran, Libya, Syria, Iraq, Lebanon and the Middle East peace process, and stressed the strategic importance of close coordination between the GCC and the EU on these developments. 
They welcomed the resumption of consultations among the Yemeni parties in Kuwait on July 16, 2016, and reaffirmed their support for efforts by the UN Special Envoy to Yemen to facilitate a comprehensive and continuous settlement among the Yemeni parties to restore peace and the resumption of the transitional process in Yemen, in line with the GCC initiative, the output of the national dialogue and the UN Security Council resolution 2216 and other relevant resolutions. 
They also expressed their determination to continue the existing efforts to combat terrorism and its financing, and to defeat the ISIS group and the other terrorist organizations. 
The ministers agreed on the need to reach a solution to the Syrian crisis, according to the principles of the Geneva statement-1, Security Council resolution 2254 and other relevant resolutions, and to allow the humanitarian aid to reach all besieged areas, stressing the importance of respecting the cessation of hostilities without violations and providing a suitable environment for the success of the negotiations. 
The Ministers expressed their support for the efforts of reconciliation and the restoration of stability in Iraq and Libya, and the political stability in Lebanon. 
The ministers also discussed the GCC-Iranian relations and stressed the importance of the relations among all states in the region to adhere to the UN Charter, international law, the principles of good neighborliness, respect of national sovereignty of states, non-interference in internal affairs, non-use or threat of force and peaceful settlement of disputes. 

The ministers reviewed progress in the strategic relationship between the GCC and the European Union, and adopted the minutes of the Joint Cooperation Committee meeting held at the General Secretariat on April 6, 2016. 

The ministers expressed their willingness to work together to address common political, social, economic and security challenges, and the challenges of economic stability and supporting the economic diversification strategies, such as the Saudi national transformation plan and similar plans in the GCC countries. They expressed satisfaction that bilateral trade accounted for more than 155 billion euros in 2015, an increase of 55% since 2010. 

The ministers welcomed the cooperation initiatives that have been taken since the last ministerial meetings, especially through the GCC-EU dialogue on economy, air transport, the team of energy experts, exchanges on rail transport, and cooperation in the field of economic diversification. 

The ministers welcomed the results of the visit of the joint GCC parliamentary delegation to the European Parliament on 28 April 2016, which reflected the keenness of both sides to strengthen the bonds of relationships and understanding at the parliamentary level. 

The ministers also welcomed the holding of the GCC-European businessmen forum in Brussels on May 23 to 24, 2016 as the event is important for the promotion and development of economic and trade ties and investment opportunities between the GCC countries and the European Union. The ministers looked forward to expanding the existing relations between the GCC and the EU by increasing communication between peoples and promoting of cooperation in social, economic, educational, cultural, scientific and human rights fields. 
The ministers agreed to hold their next meeting in Bahrain in 2017.

Source ; QNA