Preparatory Ministerial Council session for GCC Summit held

Manama, Nov. 24 (BNA): The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, opened today the 141st session of the GCC Preparatory Ministerial Council Meeting for the 37th session of the GCC Summit to be held in December in the Kingdom of Bahrain. In his opening address, Shaikh Khalid welcomed the GCC Foreign Ministers, stressing that the meeting aims to review the topics presented by ministerial committees for the agenda of the Supreme Council in its forthcoming session on various political, economic, security and other issues related to GCC efforts to bolster security and peace in the region. This, he said, aims to ensure the unity and security of all member-states, achieve further progress and prosperity for their people and take the region towards a much secure phase, based on the respect the sovereignty of states, mutual benefits, common interests and constructive cooperation among all countries. The minister expressed his confidence that the meeting will contribute to identifying priorities and explore visions to reach a comprehensive view on the requirements for the next phase to meet the aspirations of the GCC leaders. He added that the aim is to achieve the resolve and strength of member-states in all fields to reach the their goals and achieve the best life for their people as well as further strengthen the role of the GCC, which has become one of the biggest and most successful, influential and active regional groupings thanks to the wisdom of its leaders who seek integration and unity, befitting the history and capabilities of member-states. This is in addition to confronting all attempts to interfere in the internal affairs and undermine the achievements, security and stability of member-states. The meeting discussed issues on the agenda of the preparatory session, including the General-Secretariat report on implementing the decisions of the Supreme Council and the Ministerial Council to reach comprehensive joint GCC work. This is in addition to reports and recommendations presented by the ministerial committees and the General-Secretariat to be submitted to the 37th GCC Summit, which will issue the relevant directives. The ministers also reviewed the latest regional and international developments, including the situation in Syria, Libya and Iraq as well as international efforts to combat terrorism. The GCC ministers also met the Chairman of the Supreme Council’s Consultative Bureau of this session, Hamad bin Saud Al Sayari, and bureau members. They discussed the bureau’s views regarding the studies that the Supreme Council, in its 36th session, had tasked the bureau to study and submit its views. The ministers praised the efforts exerted by the Consultative Bureau to bolster the progress of the GCC through valuable studies that cover various fields of joint Gulf work. They later met the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Yemen, Dr Abdulmalik Al Mekhlafi, to discuss the latest developments and exchange views on the situation in Yemen. During the meeting, Shaikh Khalid stated that past period witnessed a serious and unprecedented development and encroachment by the coup militia in Yemen, with the launch of a ballistic missile toward Mecca. He reiterated the condemnation of this despicable criminal act, which exceeded all sanctities and all religious, moral and humanitarian limits, stressing unity with Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the face of terrorism, and against anyone who tries to target religious holy places there. The minister stressed that the GCC countries will remain on their consistent and supportive position in regards to legitimacy in Yemen to achieve security and for the restoration of peace. This is in addition to enabling the Yemeni legitimate government, led by President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, to carry out all its functions, reach a peaceful solution to end the suffering of the Yemeni people and preserve the country’s unity and territorial integrity, in accordance with the Gulf initiative and its mechanism, the outcome of the comprehensive National Dialogue Conference and the Riyadh Conference, as well as the unconditional implementation of Security Council Resolution 2216 (2015). Shaikh Khalid praised the role of the United Nations Special Envoy to Yemen, Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, in this regard, expressing hope in the resumption of security, peace and stability to Yemen and its people. Dr Al Mekhlafi praised the role of the GCC, affirming that it proved its keenness to stop bloodshed in Yemen and that the Yemeni government, with the support of the GCC, wants to achieve peace. However, he added, there was a coup party that does not want peace, incites war and wants conditions to remain as they are. He expressed his hope that by the time the next meeting is held, discussions will be on the construction and development phase in Yemen.