“We should further strengthen our political relations and cooperation in consolidating our shared values of tolerance, moderation, and respect for the rule of law, and in particular our respect for the sovereignty of nations, non-interference in other states’ affairs, and respect for their political, social, culture and peaceful evolution to the benefit of all,” the Minister of Foreign Affairs Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa.
“This twenty- third session is convened at a time of critical global transition. For this reason, we need to look objectively at regional developments, rather than being influenced by inaccurate generalisations or negative propaganda against either party, that can only hinder the advancement of our historic ties and the interests of our people.
“Lessons could be learned from the European experience in evolving gradual reforms, while respecting the interest of each country, in particular concerning security and stability.
“This should be among the fundamental approaches in assessing the situation in our region, which we consider as the proper, constructive and pragmatic political mechanism in assessing developments in any state to establish healthy ties, on an equal footing, between the GCC and the EU.
“Several years have now elapsed since the start of negotiations on the free trade agreement between our two blocs, and despite the strenuous efforts made by all parties; we should now strive harder to overcome the remaining obstacles to finalize signing of what would be a free trade agreement between the two major blocs in the free world. Furthermore, despite the difficulties arising from the negotiations, I want to commend our many joint achievements in the political and economic fields, illustrated by our shared positions on many regional and international issues. These achievements have played a positive role in maintaining international peace and security,” Shaikh Khalid said.
“We have realized unmistakable achievements in terms of strengthening our trade and economic ties, through the First EU-GCC Joint Cooperation Programme (2010-2013), which we consider as a mechanism to achieve the objectives of the cooperation agreement signed in 1988 in a myriad of areas including oil, energy, education, tourism, health, environment, and disaster management. “The programme will help in promoting social and economic development between the two blocs.
“Events on the international stage since our last meeting in Luxembourg are complicated, complex and pose grave challenges, requiring proper diligence and action to devise prompt solutions. At the forefront of these issues in the Arab region is the deteriorating humanitarian situation of the brotherly Syrian people, and the intervention by some countries to thwart the will of the Syrian people. We therefore need to pursue serious and common action to safe the Syrian people from the unprecedented humanitarian tragedy they are experiencing at this crucial period of their history, especially after the confirmation of the use of chemical weapons by the Syrian Government and the intervention of Hezbollah which enforces the importance of providing urgent assistance to the needs of the representatives of the brotherly Syrian people.
“The GCC States recognise the importance of the ties between GCC states, and their people’s friendly relations and close historical and Islamic ties with the Islamic Republic of Iran, we first would like to welcome the victory of Hasan Rouhani in the presidential elections that took place recently in Iran, confirming the aspirations of the GCC States to build friendly ties that will benefit the Arabian Gulf area in line with the principles of good neighbourliness, non-intervention in the internal affairs of the GCC States, and peaceful settlement of disputes, by ending the occupation of the three Emirates islands, and to settle this dispute either through arbitration or by referring the matter to International Court of Justice.
“We, in the GCC States, greatly appreciate the efforts of Yemeni President Abdourabou Mansour Hadi in launching the Yemeni National Consensus Dialogue. We are very confident of his wisdom and leadership of Yemen in the crucial period ahead to achieve the aspirations and hopes of the Yemeni people, as well as protecting Yemen from the radical extremists and separatists. We also acknowledge the important role played by the EU to coordinate with the GCC in the success of the second phase of the GCC Initiative and its implementation mechanism to achieve consensus and stability in that country.