GCC look forward for new language from new Iranian leadership

Bahrain said Monday the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries were looking forward for a new language and concrete action by the new leadership in Iran following the election of Hassan Rohani last July. Foreign minister Sheikh Khaled Al-Khalifa, addressing the 68th session of UN General Assembly, said the six GCC countries were looking forward for positive statements and initiatives from the Iranian leadership that would end tension and instability in the region. This, he continued to say, would contribute to building bridges of confidence and cooperation, as well as establishing cordial relations on the basis of good neighborliness and mutual interest. The GCC countries sought to achieve prosperity and develoment for their peoples, as well as making good use of the modern communications and information technology, as well as other issues related to security, environment, natural resources and population. The Arabian Gulf region is a "vital part" of the world and it seeks a new approach of regional security coupled with paying great attention to geographic and political dimensions of the region, as well as alliances with friendly countries. The Arabian Gulf region is keen on taking great care to security of human being, food and water security, boosting stability, constructive dialogue, culture of peace, friendship and mutual respect, said Sheikh Khaled, whose country holds the rotating GCC presidency. Bahrain and the GCC are working through three strategic pillars aimed at building sound and sustainable relations with "our neighbors," and to actively interact with developments and challenges. "These three pillars are the axis of today's global politics in a world characterized by globalization and fruitful cooperation between the nations of the world," he said. The first pillar is the regional security partnership amog the six GCC countries on one hand, and between the GCC and its partners around the globe, he said. "We in the GCC system work in unison to preserve our common stability and security within the framework of coordination, cooperation and complementarity leading to the desired unity," said Sheikh Khaled. The second pillar, he added, was upholding the principles of good neighborliness, non-intervention in the internal affairs of other countries, abiding by international law and its instruments, and peaceful coexistence. "We are keen at the same time to benefit from any opportunity offered to put these principles into practice in our response to the challenges confronting us and their transformation into opportunities to protect the region from tensions, threats and instability. The first among these challenges is the need to put an end to Iranian intervention in the internal affairs," and end Iran's occupation of the three UAE islands - Greater and Lesser Tunbs and Abu Moussa," he said. The third pillar is the need to realize the aspirations of "our peoples," he said. This means raising standards of living, peace and security, respect for human rights through pluralism, democracy and participation of all in a continued dialogue that takes into account the cultural values of the society and the stages of political, economic, social and cultural developments of its peoples, added the Bahraini top diplomat