The Minister of Foreign Affairs Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, addressing a joint Press conference along with Catherine Ashton, EU High Commissioner for Foreign Affairs and Security Policies, told journalists that FTA draft agreement was ready to sign except the issue of export duties.
“GCC wants a durable and comprehensive trade treaty with EU and for this purpose both sides have been carefully deliberating on the issue of the export fee, the issue which has huge ramifications,” Shaikh Khalid, said, adding that during the 23rd EU-Ministerial Meeting both sides discussed the outstanding issue and agreed to sign the FTA as soon as possible.
“Discussions on wide range of issues covering the stability and sustainability of the whole region with growing concerns about Iranian hegemony and ongoing conflict in Syria,” the Minister said.
Apart from the GCC-EU FTA, Shaikh Khalid expressed his confidence that the GCC–EU Ministerial meeting discussed the ongoing violence in Syria and interference by Iran and Hezbollah.
“As matter of principle both sides have identical views in resolving the conflict in Syria, saving innocent lives, stop bloodshed and put an end to the physical penetration of fighters from Iran and Hezbollah from Lebanon,” Shaikh Khalid explained.
“GCC conveys its concerns with regard to escalation in violence in Syria as we feel that innocent civilians are facing aggression from Syrian forces as well as from the fighters from Lebanon and Iran. This presents a very grim picture as far as the fate of the Syrian people are concerned and GCC will continue work side by side with allies including EU to seek a peaceful solution,” he said.