Bahraini FM chairs the GCC side at a meeting with Canadian FM

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, chaired the GCC side at a meeting between the GCC foreign minister and Canada\'s Foreign Minister, John Baird. They discussed ways to develop and strengthen political, economic, security and cultural relations between the two sides. This came on the sidelines of the 68th session of the UN General Assembly held in New York. The Minister of Foreign Affairs affirmed that the meeting will open new prospects to relations between the GCC and Canada and enhance mutual understanding on many regional and international issues. He said that it will promote cooperation between the two sides on issues such as fighting terrorism and supporting plans to preserve regional security as means to achieving the goals and principles of the United Nations and of maintaining peace and security, achieving cooperation and developing relations of friendship between countries . The Foreign Minister stressed the importance of economic and investment relations between the GCC and Canada stemming from successes on the economic level, which he said will lead to creating promising opportunities between the two sides in the areas of trade, investment, health, education and food security; leaving a positive impact in the promotion of future relations between the GCC states and Canada . The two sides agreed on the importance of strengthening consultation on all the security and political issues and the need to develop economic, trade and cultural cooperation to reflect the strong ties between them. They also affirmed the importance of the strategic dialogue, which will boost relations, achieve mutual interests and help in supporting security and stability in the region.