Foreign Minister meets Austrian counterpart

Brussels, Jul. 14 (BNA): Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, Minister of Foreign Affairs, met with Beate Meinl-Reisinger, Federal Minister for European and International Affairs of the Republic of Austria, on the sidelines of the GCC–EU Regional Security and Cooperation Forum.

The meeting reviewed bilateral relations between the two countries and discussed means to expand cooperation in areas of mutual interest.  The two ministers also exchanged views on regional developments, including the implications of the recent Iranian attacks against Bahrain, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states, and other countries in the region, the impact of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz on international shipping, the global economy, and energy and food supplies, as well as ongoing efforts to preserve regional security and stability.

Dr. Al Zayani and Minister Meinl-Reisinger reaffirmed their condemnation of the recent attacks in the Gulf region, expressed solidarity with the affected countries and seafarers, and stressed that the Strait of Hormuz must remain open to international navigation.  They also underscored that no state should control the Strait or impose transit fees, reaffirming their shared commitment to international law and the Charter of the United Nations.

The meeting was attended by Dr. Mohammed Ali Behzad, Ambassador to the Kingdom of Belgium and Head of Mission to the European Union.