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Gulf

Saudi Arabia Intensifies Talks to Stop War on Gaza

Smoke rises over Gaza, as seen from Israel's border with Gaza, in southern Israel October 30, 2023. (Reuters)
Smoke rises over Gaza, as seen from Israel's border with Gaza, in southern Israel October 30, 2023. (Reuters)
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Saudi Arabia Intensifies Talks to Stop War on Gaza

Smoke rises over Gaza, as seen from Israel's border with Gaza, in southern Israel October 30, 2023. (Reuters)
Smoke rises over Gaza, as seen from Israel's border with Gaza, in southern Israel October 30, 2023. (Reuters)

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah held a series of telephone talks on Sunday with his counterparts from several countries to discuss the dangerous repercussions of the war on Gaza.

He received a telephone call from Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian. The officials stressed the need for the international community to assume its responsibilities in reaching a ceasefire and protecting civilians amid the escalating military operations.

They also reviewed bilateral relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran and means to develop them in various fields.

Prince Faisal telephoned French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna, praising Paris’ position in support of the United Nations General Assembly’s approval of a nonbinding resolution Friday calling for a “humanitarian truce” in Gaza leading to a cessation of hostilities between Israel and Hamas.

The FMs discussed the military escalation in Gaza and the importance of allowing humanitarian agencies to deliver emergency aid to the residents of the coastal enclave.

They stressed the importance of supporting political solutions to end the crisis in line with relevant international resolutions.

Prince Faisal discussed the situation in Gaza in separate telephone calls with his counterpart from Sri Lanka Ali Sabry, Spanish FM Jose Manuel Albares, Malta’s FM Ian Borg, Thailand’s FM Parnpree Bahiddha-nukara, South African FM Grace Naledi Pandor and Belgian FM Hadja Lahbib.

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Gulf

GCC-Central Asia Strategic Dialogue Focuses on Strengthening Cooperation

The Third Ministerial Meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council-Central Asia Strategic Dialogue held in Kuwait. Photo: KUNA
The Third Ministerial Meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council-Central Asia Strategic Dialogue held in Kuwait. Photo: KUNA
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GCC-Central Asia Strategic Dialogue Focuses on Strengthening Cooperation

The Third Ministerial Meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council-Central Asia Strategic Dialogue held in Kuwait. Photo: KUNA
The Third Ministerial Meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council-Central Asia Strategic Dialogue held in Kuwait. Photo: KUNA

Gulf Cooperation Council foreign ministers and their counterparts from Central Asia discussed in Kuwait on Wednesday consolidating cooperation in several fields.

The Third Ministerial Meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council-Central Asia Strategic Dialogue focused on enhancing the strong relations between the GCC and Central Asian countries and discussed a joint action plan to advance cooperation in the political, economic, cultural, and tourism sectors.
Preparations were also reviewed for the upcoming summit between the GCC and Central Asian countries, scheduled to take place in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, next month. This summit follows the inaugural one held in Saudi Arabia in 2023.

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah attended the meeting.

Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Abdullah Al-Yahya said the meeting marks a significant milestone in establishing a sustainable partnership based on mutual respect and shared interests.

Speaking at a joint press conference with GCC Secretary-General Jassem Al-Budaiwi after the meeting, Al-Yahya, current President of the GCC Ministerial Council, highlighted the growing historical, cultural, and human ties between the two regions, and emphasized the shared political will to strengthen strategic cooperation.

The meeting focused on several key areas of priority, including enhancing economic and trade cooperation, encouraging investment, and developing sectors such as transport and energy, clean energy transitions, green economies, and modern technologies, Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) reported.

Discussions also focused on food and water security, digital infrastructure, and artificial intelligence, aiming to support stability and sustainable development.

On political and security matters, the foreign minister stressed the importance of consultation and coordination on shared challenges, especially in combating terrorism, extremism, and cyber threats, and praised the GCC Secretariat for its role in advancing joint action mechanisms.

Regarding regional and international issues, Al-Yahya reaffirmed the GCC's steadfast support for the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, including the establishment of an independent state based on the 1967 border with East Jerusalem as its capital.

On his part, Al-Budaiwi said that both the GCC and Central Asian states are committed to advancing cooperation across various sectors, as outlined in the Joint Action Plan for 2023-27.

He stated that the meeting included an exchange of views on regional and global developments, particularly the Israeli occupation's violations against the Palestinian people, and reiterated the GCC's rejection of these violations and called on the international community to act decisively in support of Palestinian rights, including the establishment of a sovereign state.