Al-Attiyah was quoted by Qatar News Agency (GNA) as saying the Gulf Cooperation Council was playing a key role in backing Yemen.
He said efforts of Saudi Arabia to help ease tension in Yemen reflected GCC’s role in backing Arab causes namely inter-Arab solidarity and conciliation.
He said the government in Sanaa called for a meeting of the GCC and Yemeni foreign ministers. "The Yemeni side proposed end of February or mid-March for this meeting which will be determined later." The meeting, he explained, aimed at reviewing the development projects to be carried out in Yemen.
Al-Attiyah, speaking about the creation of the GCC rapid reaction force, said preparations were underway for the creation of this force. He said the Saudi-based force would have the size of a battalion.
On ironing out obstacles facing the GCC Custom Union, he said experts would be meeting to discuss this issue and recommendations would be referred to the GCC consultative summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, next May.
On the GCC-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA), Al-Attiyah hoped both sides would resolve outstanding issues namely regarding fees on exports, during the Spanish presidency of the EU. The exports fees is blocking the resumption of FTA negotiations.
Al-Attiyah, moreover, said there were no political obstacles because they were resolved during the Omani presidency of the GCC.
Al-Attiyah said the GCC was looking forward for strengthening relations with the ASEAN, China and South Korea.
