RIYADH — Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan chaired the first joint ministerial meeting of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf and Central Asia in Riyadh on Wednesday. At the outset of the meeting, Prince Faisal welcomed the ministers participating in the meeting in their second country, praising the interest and interaction of the participating countries in strengthening mutual relations and taking them toward broader horizons. During the opening speech, Prince Faisal stressed the importance of intensifying cooperation between the Gulf states and Central Asian countries in light of the challenges the world is witnessing. He pointed to the importance of supporting efforts aimed at reducing regional and international political tensions, taking into account respect for international standards, and creating conditions for promoting sustainable economic recovery. The minister said the Gulf countries and Central Asia have many enormous potentials that will enhance growth and development, pointing to the strategic position and diversity of natural resources, as well as human capital, that the countries of the region possess. He praised the keen interest shown by the Gulf and Central Asian countries to discuss the available opportunities in the fields of trade, investment, tourism, energy and other fields, as a starting point toward strengthening joint cooperation, prosperity, and growth for the countries and peoples of the two regions. The Saudi minister also pointed to the importance of strengthening cooperation between the Gulf states and Central Asian countries in the face of pressing global challenges, such as food security, energy security, improving preparedness for epidemics, and dealing with the effects of climate change. Prince Faisal clarified that the ministerial meeting of the Gulf and Central Asian countries is of great importance for exchanging views on regional and international developments of common interest, to support stability and strengthen the foundations of security in the Gulf and Central Asia, and international peace and security. At the conclusion of his speech, Prince Faisal reiterated the importance of continued cooperation between the Gulf countries and the countries of Central Asia. He hoped that the joint action plan (2023-2026), prepared by the participating countries in the meeting, would contribute to realizing the hopes and aspirations of the countries and peoples of the region.
