This strategy essentially stipulated that the GCC countries would be commited to stay abreast of new strides and developments on the cultural arena, but would maintain the distinguished cultures and traditions of the communities of the six member states of the council, he said.
The GCC states, on the basis of the new joint plan, would be able to work out a mechanism for future cultural activities, Al-Kawwari said in an exclusive statement to Kuwait News Agency (KUNA).
"It will be a fortress that will preserve our distinguished cultural Arab and Islamic identity with the promotion of constructive dialogue and tolerance with civilizations of other nations," the Qatari official affirmed.
The joint plan for the regional states genuinely calls for maintaining the Arabic language, the Qatari official said.
Qatar, one of the six member states of the council, is currently preparing for the proclamation of the Doha Arab Culture Capital, due in 2010, he said alluding to Qatar’s role at the cultural level in the Arab world. He also referred to the "cultural district" that had been established in his country.
The GCC ministers of culture adopted the strategy that was drafted and presented by Kuwait, one of the founders and members of the GCC, established in the early 80s in shadow of serious regional conflicts.
The council, that groups Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman and the United Arab Emirates, envisages close coordination and integration in various sectors including the cultural arena. Yemen is represented in the council in some sub-committees.
