(Riyadh) – The 131st GCC Ministerial Council meeting started in Riyadh under the chairmanship of Kuwaiti First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Khalid Al Hamd Al Sabah. Foreign Minister H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan is attending the meeting.
In his opening speech, Sheikh Sabah Khalid Al Sabah extended greetings to the Their Majesties and Highness’s the leaders of the GCC countries on the 33rd anniversary of the Council. He reiterated the GCC stand on the situation in Syria, urging international community to take prompt measures to protect unarmed citizens and to ensure delivery of humanitarian assistance to the Syrian citizens in besieged areas.
Sheikh Sabah Khalid Al Sabah said the GCC countries were looking forward to translating Iranian approach into a positive reality in its relations with the GCC. He underlined the outcome of the Friends of Yemen meeting, held in London on April 29th.
On the Palestinian issue, he reaffirmed the principles of the GCC countries foreign policy which puts support to the Palestinian people as a priority. He praised the successful elections in Egypt and expressed the hope they will help enhance Egypt’s strategic role, both regionally and internationally.
After the speech, the ministers started a closed door session. At the end of the meeting, the Council issued a statement in which it welcomed the historic visit made by the Amir of Kuwait and Chair of the current Supreme Council’s session His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah to Iran.
