The Ministerial Council of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) issued today a press statement of the 130th meeting of GCC foreign ministers. Following is the text of the statement. "The Ministerial Council held its 130th session on Tuesday, March 4, 2014, at the headquarters of GCC General Secretariat, under the chairmanship of Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kuwait, who is also the current chairman of the Ministerial Council, and with the participation of the foreign ministers of GCC member states and Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al-Zayani, GCC Secretary General. The Council reviewed the developments of joint action, and discussed the developments of a number of political issues internationally and regionally. The Council decided to adopt the necessary budget to finance projects of Gulf green initiative for environment and sustainable development with an amount of SR 5 million. The Ministerial Council adopted the regulation of excellence award for members of investigation and public prosecution bodies in GCC member states. The Ministerial Council also agreed to establish a ministerial committee for tourism cooperation in GCC member states that will hold meetings on a regular basis every year. The Ministerial Council approved the resumption of free trade negotiations with other states and groups, according to specific controls and in a way that serves the interests of GCC member states and the welfare of their citizens. The Ministerial Council reviewed the minutes of the first meeting of the Cooperation Council Board for Emergency Management, which was held at the headquarters of the Secretariat (on 28-29/1/2014); and decided to adopt the budget for the center for the fiscal year 2014. The Ministerial Council renewed emphasis on the fixed positions of GCC countries to renounce terrorism and extremism in all its forms and manifestations, whatever the motives, justifications and source. The Ministerial Council hailed the Royal Order issued by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques on February 3, 2014, setting the procedures and penalties against whoever participates in hostilities outside the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, or belongs to extremist groups or other groups classified as terrorist organizations. --More 21:38 LOCAL TIME 18:38 GMT تغريد
