New York, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chairman of the current session of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Ministerial Council, Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, today headed the GCC delegation to the joint ministerial meeting between the GCC Foreign Ministers and US Secretary of State, Antony J. Blinken, held at the Palace Hotel in New York City on the sidelines of the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 76).
The meeting was attended by the Minister of State in UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Khalifa Shaheen Al Marar, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar, Shaikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs in the State of Kuwait, Dr. Shaikh Ahmed Nasser Al-Mohammed Al-Sabah, Head of the Sultanate of Oman’s Mission to the United Nations, Ambassador Mohammed Hassani, and GCC Secretary General, Dr. Nayef Falah Al-Hajraf.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs welcomed, on behalf of The GCC countries, this opportunity to look into the strategic partnership with USA, stressing the importance of GCC-US cooperation for peace, security and stability of the Gulf region and the Middle East, given the region’s substantial strategic, security and economic importance, not only for the US but for the entire world.
During the meeting, they reviewed the distinguished strategic relations between the two sides and ways to advance these solid relations towards broader horizons, and to continue constructive cooperation between them in various fields to meet common aspirations and interests.
Following the meeting, the Minister of Foreign Affairs stated that the two sides had held very constructive discussions, during which they reviewed the main developments in the Gulf region and the Middle East and affirmed the importance of GCC-US cooperation in addressing regional issues, touching on the developments in Afghanistan, the regional challenges posed by Iran, and the situation in Iraq, Yemen and other places in the region.
He added that the GCC side stressed the importance of redoubling efforts to reach a just, comprehensive and lasting solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, which would contribute to regional peace and prosperity.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs explained that the GCC countries welcome the latest developments in US strategic thinking on these issues, and the opportunity to exchange views on current and future steps.
He added that both sides recognise the strength and importance of their strategic partnership and are all determined to make it more effective in the years to come.
The meeting was attended Ambassador of the Kingdom of Bahrain to US, Shaikh Abdullah bin Rashid Al Khalifa, Undersecretary for Political Affairs, Dr. Shaikh Abdullah bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, and Bahrain Permanent Representative to UN in New York, Ambassador Jamal Faris Al Ruwaie.
Source: Bahrain News Agency