Foreign Ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, along with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, stressed on Thursday their commitment to strengthening their strategic partnership and intensifying coordination on regional and international issues of mutual interest.
During a meeting in the Bahraini capital, Manama, the ministers discussed a number of regional and international issues, emphasizing the importance of enhancing coordination and joint consultation in a manner that supports regional security and stability and protects shared interests.
The meeting also explored opportunities to strengthen cooperation in investment, trade, energy, and advanced technologies, in addition to supporting initiatives aimed at achieving sustainable development and promoting economic prosperity.
Participants stressed the importance of collective action to confront common challenges and of adopting diplomatic solutions to resolve crises, in a way that enhances security and peace in the region and the world.
Bahrain's Foreign Minister Abdullatif Al Zayani, who chaired the gathering, said GCC countries stress the need to respect national sovereignty and protect maritime routes, including the Strait of Hormuz.
In his opening remarks, Al Zayani welcomed the efforts that led to the cessation of hostilities and the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran. He also welcomed the announcement by the Sultanate of Oman of a corridor for the safe passage of vessels through the strait.
As for Rubio, he said that any deal with Iran would take the interests of Gulf states into account.
"The reality of it is that no country on Earth has the right to charge for the use of international waterways. And that will never be an acceptable condition of any deal. The president's been fundamentally clear about that," said Rubio.
