Kuwait: The State of Qatar participated in the 29th joint ministerial meeting between the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the European Union (EU), held in Kuwait today. Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, HE Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi represented the State of Qatar at the meeting.
In a speech during the meeting, HE the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs explained that relations between the GCC countries and the EU have established a solid model for cooperation and joint action spanning decades. This is achieved through the commitment to holding regular and effective Joint Ministerial Council meetings between the two sides, as an essential platform for enhancing cooperation on political and security issues, combating terrorism, as well as energy and culture, and consolidating the shared vision between the two parties.
His Excellency said that the meeting's agenda featured a number of important topics of common interest to both parties, reflecting the shared will to enhance cooperation, develop partnerships, and expand areas of joint action to serve strategic objectives and contribute to supporting stability and promoting sustainable development.
His Excellency expressed the State of Qatar's welcome to the launch of negotiations for the Strategic Partnership Agreement, which represents a qualitative step towards establishing long-term institutional cooperation that embodies the aspirations of both sides to build a balanced relationship based on mutual interests and supports shared security and prosperity.
HE Al Muraikhi also expressed Qatar's gratitude to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, the EU, and its member states for their solidarity and unwavering support against the aggression launched by Israel on September 9, in a blatant violation of sovereignty and a flagrant breach of international norms and conventions.
His Excellency explained that the UN General Assembly's adoption of the "New York Declaration" on the implementation of the two-state solution and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, issued by the High-Level International Conference on the Settlement of the Palestinian Question, represents an important step that reflects broad international support for the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people.
HE the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs thanked the sisterly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the French Republic for their efforts and effective contributions in issuing the "New York Declaration" and ensuring its adoption by the UN General Assembly.
His Excellency expressed the State of Qatar's welcome of the recognition of the sisterly State of Palestine by a number of EU member states, noting that the move has profound symbolic significance, affirming that continued violence cannot be a way to resolve a just cause such as the Palestinian cause.
