The GCC and the EU renewed their recent consultations on a Free Trade Agreement and agreed to continue these consultations on all outstanding issues towards the resumption of negotiations. The blocs also exchanged views on human rights and reiterated their previous positions.
European Union’s External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner expressed hope to ride over the obstacles of talks on Free Trade Agreement by the year-end while Abdulrahman bin Hamad al Attiyah, Secretary-General of the GCC said that the Joint Council had approved important work plan to implement co-operation agreements between the member countries. “Some new areas of co-operation have been identified in the fields of training and transport,” he said.
Yusuf bin Alawi bin Abdallah, Minister Responsible for Foreign Affairs and Chairman of the current session of the GCC Ministerial Council welcomed the GCC and EU foreign ministers and affirmed that the meeting was being held within the framework of the existing partnership between the GCC and the EU with a view to continuing the joint efforts to enhance co-operation between the two major blocs.
The EU delegation was led by Karel Schwarzenberg, Foreign Minister of the Czech Republic and President of the Council of the European Union and the European Commission was represented by Benita Ferrero-Waldner, the Commissioner Responsible for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy.
Dwelling upon the co-operation between the two blocs Alawi said, “The relationships between the GCC and EU is historic and based
on mutual interests and mutual understanding whether it was on the group or bilateral level.” The leaders from both the blocs discussed issues of joint interest and the minister hoped that the dialogue between the countries would give tangible and clear result, which would be acceptable to both the blocs.
Addressing a press conference Alawi said, “A new page has been turned on EU-GCC co-operation.” Praising American President Barak Obama’s initiative on peace in the Middle East Alawi said, “more positive initiatives are needed to solve crisis in the region.” A joint communiqué was issued at the end of the session stating that the meeting took place in a friendly and constructive atmosphere.
The participants expressed their appreciation to the government of the Sultanate of Oman for the warm reception, excellent preparations and generous hospitality. The Joint Council welcomed the outcome of the 18th March Joint Co-operation Committee. The two sides noted with satisfaction the progress achieved at the meetings held between the GCC and EU experts on energy, environment, climate change, economy and higher education. They also welcomed the results of the ongoing activities to promote public diplomacy and outreach between the two regions.
Both the blocs welcomed initiatives on clean energy technologies, scientific research and development, and exchanges on higher education between the two regions. The Joint Council expressed its determination to further strengthen the GCC and EU relationship in all areas covered by the 1988 Co-operation Agreement.
The Joint Council reviewed a number of regional and international political issues of mutual interest. The GCC and the EU reiterated their determination to develop and advance the political dialogue between them based on mutual respect with a view to seeking common solutions to the, common challenges facing their respective regions, fully respecting international law, the United Nations Charter and the relevant UN Security Council resolutions.
The blocs reaffirmed the GCC and the EU shared position that a just, comprehensive and lasting peace in the Middle East is vital to international peace and security. The two sides re-emphasised that peace in the Middle East could only be achieved through direct negotiations between the parties concerned and in all its tracks in accordance with the Madrid terms of reference and based on the principles of land for peace, the two-state solution, the relevant UNSC resolutions, the Roadmap and previous agreements reached between the parties. “In this regard, the GCC and the EU encourage Syria and Israel to resume their indirect peace-talks,” the communiqué said.
The two sides expressed their continued support for the Arab Peace Initiative as reaffirmed in the Arab League summits held in Riyadh on March 29, 2007, in Damascus on March 30, 2008 and in Doha on March 30, 2009. They confirmed their joint position that the goal remains the end of the 1967 occupation and the creation of an independent, democratic, contiguous and viable Palestinian state living side by side in peace and security with Israel and its other neighbours.
The GCC and the EU stressed their shared position that Israeli settlements anywhere in the occupied territories including in East Jerusalem are illegal under international law and constitute an obstacle to peace. In this regard they called on Israel to immediately end all settlement activities and dismantle all outposts.
On Iraq the Joint Council took note with satisfaction of the improvement in the security situation in Iraq and welcomed the recent provincial elections held in Iraq in January 2009. The Joint Council stressed that Iran shall restore confidence in the exclusively peaceful nature of its nuclear programme. The GCC and the EU reaffirmed the importance of reaching a negotiated solution to the nuclear issue.
They welcomed the readiness of the USA to engage with Iran. They also urged Iran to fully comply with the requirements set forth by the IAEA and the UN Security Council. The GCC and the EU underlined that the international community is united and determined to uphold the authority of the IAEA and the UNSC. They emphasised their commitment to fully implement all relevant UNSC resolutions.
