GCC foreign ministers meet in Riyadh

The Foreign Ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Member States held here today at Riyadh Airbase a preparatory meeting of the 15th Consultative Meeting of the GCC leaders to be held in Riyadh on 5, May, 2015.

HE Qatar Foreign Minister Dr. Khalid bin Mohammed Al-Attiyah, Chairman of the Meeting said that the Determination Storm came as a critical necessity to restore the legitimacy in Yemen and help the Yemeni people to stop the bloodshed and prevent Yemen sliding toward discord and chaos, praising the military achievements which contributed to begin Operation Renewal of Hope.

 HE Dr. Al Attiyah noted that the GCC would carry on with supporting the political process in Yemen, working with the key actors of the international community and other concerned parties to enhance the 'spirit of national consensus among all Yemeni parties, in addition to backing the legitimate leadership that seeks to realize the aspirations of the people.' He pointed out the size of the responsibility on the foreign ministers in this meeting, highlighting the challenges facing the region in addition to the latest developments in Yemen.

On the Iranian nuclear program, he said that the long-awaited final agreement between the world powers and Tehran, expected in June, must address concerns of all countries in the region.

He said that the GCC countries welcomed the recent framework agreement between the two negotiating sides, in line with the relevant international accords, acknowledging a country's right to use nuclear power for civilian purposes.

In this respect, HE Dr. Al Attiyah reaffirmed the GCC stance rejecting the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction in the Middle East, that has to be announced a nuclear-free zone.

On the situation in Syria, HE Dr. Al Attiyah urged the international community to seriously seek a political solution that can help realize the expectations of the Syrian people in freedom security and stability.

He called the world community to assume its responsibilities and take the necessary measures to end the Israeli occupation of Palestine in accordance with the international legitimacy resolutions, so that the Palestinian people could have their own independent state with Al-Quds as a capital.

HE Qatar's Foreign Minister Dr. Khalid bin Mohammed Al-Attiyah, expressed the GCC foreign ministers' appreciation of the great efforts exerted by Prince Saud Al-Faisal, Minister of State, Member of the Cabinet, Adviser and Special Envoy to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and Supervisor of Foreign Affairs, during performing duties as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister, stressing that his efforts and stances have a great impact on supporting the GCC joint action and the Arab and Islamic issues.

HE Dr. Al Attiyah also congratulated Adel Al Jubeir on the occasion of being appointed as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's Minister of Foreign Affairs.