Foreign Minister attends GCC meeting

Doha, Nov25 (BNA) The Minister of Foreign Affairs Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa took part at the 133rd Ministerial Preparatory meeting for the 35th Session of the Supreme GCC Council which was held today (Tuesday, 25th of November, 2014) in Doha, Qatar. The Session began with the joint ministerial meeting of the foreign ministers of the GCC member states with Jordanian Minister of Foreign and Expatriates Affairs,Nasser Judah and the Moroccan Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Mr. Salaheddine Mezouar to assess and follow up the outcome and results of the strategic partnership between the GCC States with each of Morocco and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. The Ministerial Meeting released press statement expressing the satisfaction and welcoming of Their Highness and xcellencies of the of Bahrain’s successful Parliamentary and Municipal Elections and massive turnout. They reiterated their support and backing to the democratic march and its successful progress as a main pillar of the reform project spearheaded by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa. The Foreign Ministers also expressed their satisfaction of the continued progress of the joint action to achieve strategic partnership in line with the action plans approved in the previous joint meetings that set the objectives and dimensions of that partnership as well as its necessary implementation mechanisms and programs for the period 2013 -2018. The meeting endorsed the recommendations of the Joint Committee and Working Groups in line with the approved Working Plans. The Ministers expressed their unwavering and identical stances towards the issues in the region, particularly, the Palestinian cause, and the situations in the Republic of Yemen, Syria, and Libya. The Ministers condemned the Israeli actions to change the identity of Al-Quds Al Sahrief, occupation of the Palestinian lands, settlement, arbitrary detention, and the collective punishment of the Palestinian people in the occupied territories. They also strongly condemned the violation of the Israeli occupied authorities of the Palestinian rights and dangerous escalation of systematic attacks on the wholly Mosque and Al-Quds Al Sahrief by Israel in order to divide the wholly Mosque. In respect to terrorism, the foreign ministers affirmed that extremism and the politicalization of religion are some of the main reasons of terrorism and pose threat to countries’ stability and cohesion. In addition, they affirmed the need of military and security measures to combat terrorism, as well as the intentional joint effort to cut off the flow of funds to terrorists and fight extremism, incitement, and ideologies that misuse religion and defaming its teachings. The Ministers, in this respect, welcomed the outcome of Manama Meeting of Combating the Financing of Terrorism which was held on November 9th, 2014. That Meeting focused on Combating the Financing of Terrorism to ensure no misuse of Financial or Charity organizations in financing terrorism and other illegal activities. The Ministerial Meeting reiterated their support to the right of the United Arab Emirates’ sovereignty over its three Islands - Great and lesser Tunb and Abu Musa. They also expressed their grave concern over Iranian meddling in the internal affairs of the GCC States and call it to end such actions which are detrimental to regional stability and security. Later on, the Joint GCC Foreign Ministers and Yemeni Foreign Minister meeting was held. The Meeting discussed the situation in Yemen, and the steps that have taken to implement the GCC initiative and its implementation mechanisms. The Meeting affirmed support to all decisions and actions taken by H. E. President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi. Their Highness and Excellencies GCC Foreign Ministers also met with chairman and representative of the Consultative Commission of the GCC Supreme Council. The meeting reviewed the studies conducted by the commission during the previous Session which will be raised to the forthcoming Supreme Council Session due to be held in Doha next month. This is in addition to topics to be considered by the Commission in the next Session. The 133rd Ministerial Session in preparation for the 35th Session of the GCC Supreme Council discussed the recommendation to be submitted to the Supreme Council on Joint GCC action in Economic, Social, Security, combat of Terrorism, Health, Education, and Youth fields, as well as follow up of negotiations and strategic dialogue with other States and blocs. The meeting also extended to cover exchange of views on regional and international issues. The Ministers, in this respect, welcomed the outcome of Manama Meeting of Combating the Financing of Terrorism which was held on November 9th, 2014. That Meeting focused on Combating the Financing of Terrorism to ensure no misuse of Financial or Charity organizations in financing terrorism and other illegal activities. The Ministerial Meeting reiterated their support to the right of the United Arab Emirates’ sovereignty over its three Islands - Great and lesser Tunb and Abu Musa. They also expressed their grave concern over Iranian meddling in the internal affairs of the GCC States and call it to end such actions which are detrimental to regional stability and security. Later on, the Joint GCC Foreign Ministers and Yemeni Foreign Minister meeting was held. The Meeting discussed the situation in Yemen, and the steps that have taken to implement the GCC initiative and its implementation mechanisms. The Meeting affirmed support to all decisions and actions taken by H. E. President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi. Their Highness and Excellencies GCC Foreign Ministers also met with chairman and representative of the Consultative Commission of the GCC Supreme Council. The meeting reviewed the studies conducted by the commission during the previous Session which will be raised to the forthcoming Supreme Council Session due to be held in Doha next month. This is in addition to topics to be considered by the Commission in the next Session. The 133rd Ministerial Session in preparation for the 35th Session of the GCC Supreme Council discussed the recommendation to be submitted to the Supreme Council on Joint GCC action in Economic, Social, Security, combat of Terrorism, Health, Education, and Youth fields, as well as follow up of negotiations and strategic dialogue with other States and blocs. The meeting also extended to cover exchange of views on regional and international issues.