Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi confirmed that the strategic partnership and close cooperation between the GCC states and the Benelux countries enhance efforts to address current regional and international challenges.
This statement was made during the GCC-Benelux ministerial meeting, held yesterday on the sidelines of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, USA.
The meeting was chaired by Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, who is currently presiding over the ministerial council. Foreign ministers from the GCC states and the Benelux Union (Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg) participated in the meeting.
Albudaiwi said that this meeting established a regular and open platform for discussing political, security, economic, and cultural issues of mutual interest, marking an important step toward enhancing coordination and cooperation in various fields.
He also
referred to the upcoming joint GCC-European summit scheduled for October 16, 2024, in Brussels, noting that it will significantly contribute to strengthening relations between the GCC and the European Union and lead to common positions reflecting mutual interests in bilateral and multilateral issues.
Albudaiwi expressed concern over the rapidly evolving developments in the region, pointing to escalating tensions resulting from the stalled peace process, the Israeli war on Gaza, the deteriorating situation in the West Bank and Lebanon, and disturbances in the Red Sea, in addition to threats posed by the proliferation of ballistic missiles. He emphasized that these challenges pose a significant risk to security and peace in the region and globally, calling on like-minded countries to unite efforts to confront them through respect for international law and humanitarian principles.
Albudaiwi stressed the need for a clear international vision to address these crises and implement international resolutions impart
ially and without exceptions, affirming that the continuation of these crises is due to the absence of such a vision. He expressed confidence that the meeting represents an important step toward enhancing both sides’ commitment to collaborative efforts to face challenges and achieve security and stability in the region and the world.
Albudaiwi praised the depth of historical and strategic relations between the GCC states and the Benelux countries, reaffirming the council’s unwavering commitment to enhancing these relations in various fields to serve mutual interests and promote stability and development.
Source: Saudi Press Agency
