The Gulf States have renewed their keenness on stability and security in the region, and the need to strengthen the GCC relations with brotherly and friendly countries and regional and international organizations.
They also affirmed respect for the principles of sovereignty and non-interference in internal affairs of Arab states.
The 43rd summit of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) convened in Riyadh on Friday, with a final statement that reiterated the rejection of Iranian interference in the region.
It also stressed that the security of the GCC states was indivisible, in accordance with the principle of joint defense and the concept of collective security.
- Cooperation with China and the OPEC Plus decisions
The statement welcomed the holding of the Gulf-Chinese Cooperation and Development summit in Riyadh and the Arab-Chinese summit, expressing its aspiration that they contribute to strengthening cooperation and strategic partnership relations with China.
The statement affirmed support of the GCC Supreme Council for the decisions of the OPEC Plus that aim to achieve balance in the oil markets.
- Praising Saudi Arabia’s role
The Supreme Council expressed its deep appreciation and gratitude for the great and sincere efforts made by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, and his government, during the Saudi presidency of the 42nd session.
It also congratulated Sultan Haitham bin Tariq, Sultan of Oman, on assuming the presidency of the 43rd session, wishing him success in strengthening the GCC march in all fields.
The statement welcomed the results of the second edition of the Green Middle East Initiative summit, which was held in Sharm el-Sheikh under the joint presidency of Saudi Arabia and Egypt, and praised the pioneering role assumed by the UAE in confronting climate change.
The Supreme Council praised Qatar’s success in hosting the 2022 FIFA World Cup, and its positive effects on the human heritage and the civilizational, cultural and intellectual rapprochement among the peoples of the world.
- Joint Gulf Action
The GCC Supreme Council underlined its keenness on the strength and cohesion of the Cooperation Council, the unity of ranks among its members, and the achievement of more coordination, integration and interdependence in all fields.
It also approved the decisions of the Joint Defense Council regarding military cooperation between the GCC states, and stressed the importance of strengthening joint military action to achieve collective security.
- Respect for sovereignty
The GCC Supreme Council affirmed “respect for the principles of sovereignty and non-interference in internal affairs, and renewed its firm positions and decisions towards terrorism and extremism…” and its condemnation of all terrorist operations.
Regarding the Palestinian issue, the statement stressed the need to revive the efforts of the international community to solve the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. It also demanded a halt to the targeting of Palestinians in occupied Jerusalem and rejected any move to annex Israeli settlements built in the occupied West Bank.
The Supreme Council affirmed its firm positions on the centrality of the Palestinian cause, and its support for the sovereignty of the Palestinian people over all the Palestinian territories occupied since June 1967.
- Iran
The statement condemned “Tehran’s continued support for terrorist groups and sectarian militias in Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen and others, which threaten Arab national security, destabilize the region, and impede the work of the international coalition to combat (ISIS).”
Moreover, the Supreme Council affirmed its firm positions and previous decisions on “condemning Iran’s continued occupation of the three islands (Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb, and Abu Musa), which belong to the United Arab Emirates.”
It also underlined “the need for [Iran’s] adherence to the basic foundations of the UN Charter and the charters of international law, the principles of good neighborliness, respect for the sovereignty of states, non-interference in internal affairs, resolving disputes by peaceful means, and non-use of force…”
The statement demanded that the Iranian nuclear talks, and any future negotiations, include addressing Iran’s destabilizing behavior in the region, its sponsorship of terrorism and sectarian militias, its missile program, and the safety of international navigation and oil installations.
