The Foreign Ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Member States concluded here this evening their one-day ordinary 131st Ministerial Council Meeting, chaired by Kuwaiti First Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Khalid Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, the president of the current rotating session, at the headquarters of the GCC in Riyadh. Prince Abdulaziz bin Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia led his country's delegation to the meeting. In a final communique, the council welcomed the historic visit by Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Emir of Kuwait, to Iran, hoping that the visit would have yielded its positive impact on the relations of the GCC member states with Iran. The council lauded the outcome of the conference on civilization in the service of humanity held in Bahrain from 5 - 7 May 2014, particularly the initiative presented by King Hamad bin Issa Al Khalifa of Bahrain, calling from building a civilizational coalition where the common humanitarian values could meet to face the extremism, hatred, fanatism and terror. The ministerial council and the GCC Secretary General Dr. Abdullatif Al-Zayani reviewed the latest developments of the joint action and discussed a number of political, economic, regional and international issues. The council was briefed on the results of the 98th meeting of the financial and economic committee of the GCC held on 7 May 2014 aiming to further implement the Supreme Councilâ€TMs resolution on the economic integration among the GCC countries and completing the requirements of the customs union. The meeting approved a draft partnership program on environmental work for the GCC region with the World Bank and conducting a detailed study to establish the environmental monitoring center for the GCC countries. The council reiterated the GCC countries firm position rejecting terrorism and extremism in all its forms, and whatever its motives and justifications or sources. Politics earned the biggest share of the council's interest in today's meeting with the ministers reiterating the firm position of the GCC member states rejecting the continuing occupation of the UAE three islands of Grand Tomb, Smaller Tomb and Abu-Musa by Iran, a call orchestrating with the GCC previous statements. The council confirmed its support anew for the right of sovereignty of UAE on the islands, the regional water, the regional skies, the continental shelf and the pure economic zone of the three islands in their capacity as integral parts of the UAE, considering any decisions or practices coming from Iran on the three islands as null and void and as if they were not issued, a matter that should not alter the historical and legal realities of granting the sovereignty of the islands to the UAE. In this regard, the council called on Iran to respond to the UAE endeavor to reach a solution to the issue through either direct negotiations or resorting to the international justice tribunal. The ministerial council underscored anew the importance of building good relations between the GCC and Iran on the bases of respect of sovereignty of each country on its soil, non-interference in internal affairs, the respect of good neighborhood principles, and refrain from using force or threatening with it. The council expressed hope that the negotiations between Iran and the 5+1 group to find a final solution on the Iranian nuke program would yield success in a way that guarantees a peaceful use of nuclear energy for Iran according to the International Agency for Atomic Energy standards and under its supervision and according to the relevant international treaties and agreements that guarantee that the program would never transfer at any of its phases into a military orientation. The statement underscored the importance of making the Arab Gulf and the Middle East a comprehensive mass destruction free zone, including nuclear weapons. On the situation in the Arab arena, the council confirmed the importance of sending those who commit war crimes against the Syrian people to the international criminal court, expressing regret for Russia and China's veto against this plan at the UN Security Council. The statement underscored the importance of coercing Al-Assad regime to agree to send humanitarian assistance to the besieged Syrian people according to the Security Council No. 2139. The meeting reiterated its support for a political solution to the crisis in Syria according to Geneva 1 arrangement on 30 June 2012, calling for forming a transitional body with wide authorities to enable it to preserve the sovereignty, independence and integrity of the territory of Syria and considered the declaration of Al-Assad to hold presidential elections with Bashar Al-Assad as its nominee as a wrecking shock of the efforts of Arab and international community efforts to find a peaceful solution to the crisis. Regarding the situations in the Palestinian territories and the latest developments of the Arab-Israeli conflict, the Ministerial Council renewed its firm and constant stance towards the Palestinian cause, calling for the establishment of the Palestinian sovereign state with based on 1967 parallel with Eastern Al-Quds as its capital in accordance with the relevant Arab and international references, blaming Israel for stalled peace negotiations between Palestinians and Israel. The ministerial council also welcomed the Palestinian reconciliation agreement and the formation of a government of national reconciliation, stressing the GCC stand and support for the Palestinian people in order to unite and achieve all their legitimate rights. The Ministerial Council condemned the attacks carried out by the Israeli occupation authorities and ongoing excavations in the vicinity of Al-Aqsa Mosque, holding Israel fully responsible in this regard and warning of what would change the historical and religious identity, legal status and demography of the city of Al-Quds. Regarding the Yemeni affairs, the Ministerial Council expressed GCC support for all the steps, actions and decisions taken by Yemeni President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi in order to implement the outcomes of the comprehensive national dialogue and formation of a new constitution as well as efforts to combat terrorism and to achieve security and stability of the Yemeni people. The Ministerial Council decided to appoint an envoy of the GCC Secretary General to Yemen. On Iraq, the Ministerial Council reaffirmed its support for UN Security Council Resolution No. 2107/2013 which decided unanimously to refer the file of prisoners and missing persons and the return of Kuwaiti property to the United Nations Mission 'UNAMI' for its follow up, hoping that the Iraqi government is to continue its efforts and cooperation with Kuwait and the international community in this regard. The Ministerial Council expressed hope that the results of the Iraqi parliamentary elections would lead to a national comprehensive political process with participation of all sects and components of the Iraqi people without exclusion and marginalization in order to preserve Iraq's unity, sovereignty and stability. Regarding the latest developments in Libya, the Ministerial Council expressed concern on the latest developments, calling for restraint, adoption of national reconciliation and concerted efforts to build the stateâ€TMs institutions and achieve aspirations of the Libyan people in order to maintain the unity, sovereignty and stability of Libya. The Ministerial Council welcomed the completion of the presidential elections in the Arab Republic of Egypt within the framework to complement the stages of the future plan ensuring stability and prosperity for its people, lauding the positive, transparent and fair atmosphere between the presidential candidates. The Ministerial Council expressed confidence of a bright future for Egypt, stressing GCC support for Egypt and wishing the Egyptian people steady progress, prosperity and stability. Sheikh Al-Sabah confirmed the great consistency and solidarity existing among the GCC countries and their ability to face all challenges and overcoming them whatsoever their size. In a joint press conference with the GCC Secretary General, he said the relations among the GCC countries are strong and firm and that the GCC countries are able to wipe out any crisis that might arise in the scene, citing the ability of the GCC states to overcome all crises over the last 33 years. He vowed that they would continue to do so. In an answer to a question on Iran, he expressed the GCC states welcome to whatever guarantees stability of the region according to the international norms.
