Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Mohamed AlBudaiwi, speaking at the seventh joint ministerial meeting of the strategic dialogue between the GCC and the Russian Federation on Monday, said that GCC member states place great importance on cooperation with the Russian Federation, “considering the historic and strategic ties that bind us”, adding that “we are working to accelerate the implementation of the Joint Action Plan (2023-2027) that was agreed upon in the previous ministerial meeting held in Moscow in July 2023”.
During the GCC-Russia Joint Ministerial Meeting for Strategic Dialogue chaired by Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar and current President of the Ministerial Council, with the participation of the foreign ministers of the GCC member states, and in the presence of Sergey Lavrov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, Albudaiwi stressed that the meeting is part of the strategic
dialogue established under the memorandum of understanding signed in Abu Dhabi in November 2011, and a continuation of the considerable efforts made by the two sides to strengthen friendly relations to fulfill their aspirations.
He also said that the dialogue serves as a permanent platform for ministerial-level discussions, facilitating the exchange of views on issues of mutual concern, including threats to regional and global security, as well as a means to explore ways to boost cooperation.
AlBudaiwi said that “many conflicts and crises plague our world today, seriously affecting its security and stability”, reiterating that the GCC member states are making every possible effort to contribute to resolving disputes and settling conflicts through dialogue, negotiations and peaceful diplomatic means.
He further stressed the importance of “prioritizing wisdom and dialogue”, and respecting the rule of law in accordance with international norms, values, agreements and treaties that ensure the preservation o
f security and stability worldwide, and thus enable all countries to prosper and their peoples to thrive.
AlBudaiwi pointed out that the ongoing Israeli violations against Palestinian civilians and the crimes committed by Israeli occupation forces contradict all human values and charters, including international law, humanitarian law, and relevant UN resolutions, stressing that “this unfortunate reality highlights the failure of the international community to find a comprehensive and permanent solution to this tragic issue up to this moment”, even though the international community has condemned the continued Israeli aggression in Gaza.
He reaffirmed the GCC’s solidarity with the Palestinian people, and demanded an immediate and permanent ceasefire, an end to military operations carried out by the Israeli occupation forces, and asked for ensuring access to all humanitarian and relief aid by the residents of Gaza, and alleviating the suffering of the Palestinian people.
AlBudaiwi urged the international
community to take urgent, serious and decisive actions to protect civilians in Gaza and to support the State of Palestine’s efforts to secure recognition from more countries, as well as to assist it in obtaining full membership in the UN and convene an international conference to achieve a comprehensive peace based on the two-state solution.
Regarding the situation in Yemen, AlBudaiwi commended the sincere efforts of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Sultanate of Oman, and the ongoing communication with all Yemeni parties, to revive the political process, which would lead to a comprehensive and sustainable political solution in Yemen.
He also stressed the need for the Houthis to engage positively with the UN efforts to end the Yemeni crisis and give serious thought to peace initiatives, to alleviate the suffering of the Yemeni people.
He also said that developments in the Red Sea affect the security of international navigation and negatively impact global trade, so it has become necessary and urgent to de
-escalate tensions to maintain security and stability in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, and to respect the right to freedom of navigation therein, in accordance with international law and the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, to protect the interests of the entire world.
AlBudaiwi then reiterated the GCC’s support for the mediation efforts carried out by the member states in regard to the situation in Ukraine, stating that the GCC renews its support for resolving the crisis between Russia and Ukraine through a ceasefire, a political solution, that settles the dispute through negotiations that lead to a sustainable political solution to the crisis and mitigates its impacts and repercussions.
He also said that GCC supports all efforts aimed at facilitating the export of grains and all food and humanitarian supplies to help affected countries reach food security.
Source: Saudi Press Agency