GCC and Russian Foreign Ministers agree on strengthening cooperation

The Ministers called for peaceful solution between the UAE and Iran over the UAE's islands of Tunb Greater, Tunb Lesser and Abu Mousa occupied by Iran, through direct dialogue between the two parties or in accordance to UN charter or international law.

They called for respecting independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Iraq, rejecting internal interference in its internal affairs. The Ministers also called for easing sectarian tension through reconciliation among all political spectrum of Iraq and participation of all components in the government to introduce necessary reforms.

The Ministers expressed their solidarity with the people of Iraq in tackling Daesh, calling for exerting concerted efforts to restore stability to areas retaken from Daesh through provision relief aid to the displaced Iraqis.

On Libya, the Ministers stressed their support to Libya's sovereignty and its territorial integrity. They expressed their concern about increasing terrorist activities in the country. The Ministers also backed the political process and efforts of the UN special envoy to Libya, Martin Kobler. They welcomed the Libyan political agreement signed on 17th December, 2015 and endorsed by the UN security council in its Resolution number 2259 of year 2015.

They also called for resumption of the Palestinian- Israeli talks that would lead to setting up a viable and independent Palestinian state based on the borders of 1967, and with Eastern Jerusalem as its capital.

The Ministers also called for revival of the cultural and religious dialogue, being an strategic option to preserve cultural diversity, tolerance, peace, justice and mutual understanding.

They called for preparing joint action plan for strategic cooperation between the GCC and Russia to be submitted to the joint ministerial meeting set to be held on the sidelines of the UN general assembly in September 2016 to endorse it.
Source : WAM