GCC, Moroccan, Jordanian FMs approve 13-18 action plan

Foreign Ministers of six Arabian Gulf countries, Jordan and Morocco voiced approved recommendations for 2013-18 plan of action, and underscored importance of the strategic partnership to boost development and investment in all countries.
The ministers, in a statement following their meeting, called upon joint committees to exert efforts with the objective of bolstering cooperation between the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) on one side, and Morocco and Jordan on the other in many fields like youth, judicial, economy, renewable energy, education, social development and natural resources.
They welcomed the Moroccan-GCC Investment Forum, due in Casablanca on November 28 as it would cement cooperation in economic and trade domains.
The ministers called for the active involvement of economists to facilitate establishment of investment projects and encourage capital movement.
They voiced relief for the GCC's commitment to its pledges to finance development projects in Jordan and Morocco.
They meanwhile welcomed successful outcome of parliamentary and municipal elections in Bahrian.
The ministers, meanwhile, condemned Israel's occupation of Arab territories and its attempts to change the demographic status of Jerusalem, and punishing the Palestinian people in a collective manner.
They condemned the Israeli systematic assault against Al-Aqsa Mosque and Al-Quds with the aim of dividing the holy shrine. They called for further international pressure on Israel to stop its "illegal and inhumane practices." The top diplomats called for a UN Security Council (UNSC) resolution that would end the Israeli occupation of Arab lands seized since 1967 in line with a specific timetable, coupled with demarcation of borders and establishment of the independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital.
The foreign ministers commended the role of Jordan and Morocco in the protection of sanctities in Jerusalem.
They called for the immediate resumption of peace negotiations in line with relevant UNSC resolutions and Arab peace initiative.
They underlined that Jewish settlements built on occupied Arab territories were illegal and formed a stumbling block against permanent peace in the region.
The ministers, however, welcomed the Egyptian-brokered ceasefire in Gaza as well as the outcome of the Gaza reconstruction conference that was held in Cairo during which donors pledged USD 5.4 billion, of them USD 1.9 billion by the GCC countries.

The foreign ministers of six Arabian Gulf countries, Jordan and Morocco said extremist ideas and the use of religion for political purposes were major causes of terrorism. They condemned atrocities committed by terrorist groups in Iraq and Syria.
They called on the importance of implementing UNSC resolution 2170 which imposed sanctions on people affiliated with terrorist and extremist groups.
They called for the coordination at bilateral and international levels to boost the fight against terrorism, as well as strengthening the international coalition against the Islamic State in Iraq and Levant (ISIL).
The foreign ministers asserted importance of the military and security action against terrorism and its ideologies, while highlighting values of Islam and its noble message.
They welcomed an international conference against terrorism held in Bahrain earlier this month, expressed deep concern because lack of peaceful solutions was triggering a rise in terrorist activities.
The ministers, on the other hand, supported UAE's sovereignty over the Greater and Lesser Tunbs, and Abu Moussa Islands, occupied by Iran. They said any Iranian practices over the occupied islands were void and would not change the historic and legal facts that they belonged to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
They called on Iran to solve this issue through direct negotiations or international arbitration.
The foreign ministers welcomed Oman's hosting of a round of nuclear negotiations between Iran and the P5+1 earlier this month.
They called on Iran to live up to its responsibility in the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and relevant UNSC resolutions in order to reach a solution that would address fears over its nuclear program, specially the Bushehr nuclear reactor, in a way that would guarantee the right of Tehran and regional countries to acquire peaceful nuclear technology.
On Syria, the ministers called for formation of a new government that would honor aspirations of the Syrian people.
The solution of the Syrian conflict, which broke out in March 2011, is through compliance with the June 30 2012 Geneva I communique that stipulated formation of a transitional authority with executive powers, the ministers said.
They supported the opposition Syrian national council as the legitimate representative of the Syrian people.
They agreed to take practical steps to increase the training and funding of the moderate Syrian opposition, and protecting the civilians from the oppression of the Syrian regime.
Bashar Al-Assad's regime is illegitimate, they said, because it was killing civilians by airstrikes, artillery, chemical weapons and barrel bombs, said the ministers.
They said they were committed to alleviating the suffering of the Syrian people, and urged the international community to help the Syrian refugees in neighboring countries.
The ministers welcomed the policies of Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar Al-Abadi's government towards preserving the national unity. They expressed keenness on unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Iraq.
The ministers voiced concern over the developments in Yemen that might undermine the political process, security and stability. They reiterated backing to President Abd Rabbuh Mansour Hadi to continue the implementation of the GCC initiative and its executive mechanism, in addition to UNSC resolution 2140.
They called on all parties in Yemen to abide by the September 21 peace and partnership agreement.
The ministers, meanwhile, supported Morocco's self-rule proposal for the Moroccan Sahara, urged all parties in Libya to agree on a ceasefire and start a political dialogue, and voiced commitment in the sovereignty and independence of Libya.