The Joint Council for Cooperation between Gulf Cooperation Council and European Union on Tuesday hailed the initiative of King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, to have an interfaith dialogue between all monotheistic religions. Both the sides underscored the importance of respecting other religions and cultures and rejecting all forms of intolerance and hatred. The two sides stressed the common determination to promote political dialogue based on mutual respect. The GCC and the EU stressed on the need to take effective steps to work actively towards implementation of the joint convention in 1988 in all areas. The meeting, which was attended by representatives from member states of the GCC and the organization's Secretary General Abdulrahman Bin Hamad Al-Attiyah, the rotating president of the European Council and representatives of the European Commission, welcomed the projects relating to public diplomacy of both the GCC and the European Union and to develop cooperation in the field of energy. The meeting also welcomed the progress made in free trade negotiations, stressing that the two sides may arrive at an agreement soon. Both sides discussed areas that need to achieve further progress on both political and commercial fields. The meeting expressed concern over lack of progress on resolving the territorial dispute between the United Arab Emirates and Iran regarding the islands of Abu Musa and Greater and Lesser Tumb and confirmed their support for political solution to the dispute in accordance with international law. The parties also expressed concern over the lack of progress on reaching a diplomatic solution regarding Iran's nuclear program. The two sides praised the Doha final agreement between Lebanese parties and reiterated their support for the recently-concluded Annapolis conference to advance the peace process in the Mideast. They noted the urgent need to achieve progress on the ground and reaffirm the illegality of Jewish settlements in the occupied territories. They confirmed their commitment to international standards to combat terrorism within the framework of the United Nations. As regards Human Rights issue, both sides renewed their commitment to promote and protect human rights.
