The Ministerial Council of the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) countries held its 149th meeting yesterday (16 September) at the GCC headquarters in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The foreign ministers of Iraq and Yemen were also present, and they met separately with the Council.
Dr Abdullatif bin Rashid Al-Zayani, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bahrain led the session which primarily discussed progress since the signing of AlUla agreement, as well as the situation in Iraq and Yemen.
Iraq's Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein attended to discuss the future dimensions of the Baghdad summit which was held last month with Arab leaders to discuss the future of the country. The Council called on all parties to work toward making parliamentary elections in Iraq - scheduled for next month - a success.
Mr Al Zayani said that the GCC was keen to “reinforce strategic co-operation between the GCC and Iraq due to the close historic ties" between the nations.
The Council expressed its supports of Iraq's endeavours to maintain its sovereignty, security and stability and "to fight extremism, violence and terrorism in all its forms," he added.
On Yemen, the Council condemned Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia and reiterated GCC support for Yemen’s legitimate government. The Yemeni foreign minister, Ahmed Awad Bin Mubarak, called for the GCC’s support to Yemen’s economy and for the peace process.
The session also addressed Iran and called for respecting international relations norms that entail mutual respect and non-interference. The Council hoped that Iran’s new president Ibrahim Raisi will play a positive role in working on what would ease tensions and build confidence between the GCC and Iran.
