Foreign Minister heads GCC delegation to GCC-US Joint Ministerial Meeting in New York

New York, September 23 (BNA) The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chairman of the current session of the Ministerial Council of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al-Zayani, headed today the delegation of the Cooperation Council countries to attend the joint ministerial meeting between the two countries. The foreign ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council and the US Secretary of State, Anthony J. Blinken, at the Palace Hotel in New York City on the sidelines of the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 76).

The meeting was attended by Minister of State at the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Khalifa Shaheen Al Marar, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs. His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs of the State of Kuwait, and Dr. Sheikh Ahmed Nasser Al-Mohammed Al-Sabah, Head of the Mission of the Sultanate of Oman to the State of Qatar. United Nations Ambassador Mohamed Hosni and the Secretary-General of the Cooperation Council, Dr. Nayef Falah Al-Hajraf.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs on behalf of the GCC countries welcomed this opportunity to consider the strategic partnership with the United States of America, stressing the importance of Gulf-US cooperation for peace, security and stability in the Gulf region and the Middle East. The strategic, security and economic importance of the region, not only for the United States but for the entire world.

During the meeting, they reviewed the distinguished strategic relations between the two sides and ways to push these solid relations towards broader horizons, and to continue constructive cooperation between them in various fields to meet aspirations and common interests.

After the meeting, the foreign minister stated that the two sides had very constructive discussions, during which they reviewed the main developments in the Gulf region and the Middle East, and stressed the importance of Gulf-US cooperation in addressing regional issues. On developments in Afghanistan, the regional challenges posed by Iran, and the situation in Iraq, Yemen and elsewhere in the region.

He added that the Gulf Cooperation Council countries stressed the importance of redoubling efforts to reach a just, comprehensive and lasting solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, which would contribute to regional peace and prosperity.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs explained that the GCC countries welcome the latest developments in US strategic thinking on these issues, and the opportunity to exchange views on current and future steps.

He added that the two sides are aware of the strength and importance of their strategic partnership and are determined to make it more effective in the coming years.

The meeting was attended by the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Bahrain to the United States Sheikh Abdullah bin Rashid Al Khalifa, Undersecretary for Political Affairs Dr. Sheikh Abdullah bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, and Bahrain’s permanent representative to the United Nations in New York, Ambassador Jamal Faris Al-Ruwai’i.

NS