GCC-UK joint ministerial meeting held

Manama, Feb. 22 (BNA): The Joint Ministerial Meeting between the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and representatives of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states and the United Kingdom was held virtually today. The GCC side was chaired by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chairman of the current session of the Ministerial Council, Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, whereas the British side was under the chairmanship of the Minister of State for Middle East and North Africa at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office of the United Kingdom, James Cleverly, with the participation of the GCC Secretary-General of the Cooperation Council, Dr. Nayef Falah M. Al-Hajraf. In his opening speech, Dr. Abdullatif Al Zayani stressed the deep-rooted relations between the GCC and the UK and its importance, as well as the mutual keenness for further cooperation in supporting strategic partnership and joint action for the benefit of our people and in the face of common challenges. He also underscored that this meeting is an opportunity to review the current cooperation level, and ways to enhance it for the common interests of both sides. He also praised the constructive and effective role of the United Kingdom at the regional and international level, stressing the importance of working together to face challenges in the region and the world. The Minister of State for Middle East and North Africa at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office of the United Kingdom, James Cleverly affirmed the importance of enhancing joint action between the two sides at all levels, hailing the outcomes of the summit held in the Kingdom of Bahrain in December 2016 between the United Kingdom and the GCC. The Ministers also discussed British-GCC relations and areas of joint cooperation in various political, economic, and cultural levels for the common interests of both sides and for peace and security in the region and the world. They also stressed their keenness on enhancing strategic partnership following the GCC-UK summit held in the Kingdom of Bahrain in December 2016. They also reviewed the Joint Review of Trade and Investment between the two sides, which aims to enhance cooperation in this important field, in preparation for entering into free trade negotiations between the two sides. During the meeting, they also exchanged views on political and security developments in the region and the international efforts to combat terrorism, in addition to a number of relevant regional and international issues.