His Highness Shaikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan

Minister of State in the United Arab Emirates

His Excellency Dr Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain

His Excellency Shaikh Khalifa bin Ali Al Harthy

Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Diplomatic Affairs in the Sultanate of Oman

His Excellency Shaikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar

His Excellency Shaikh Dr Ahmed Nasser Al Mohammed Al Sabah

Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Kuwait

His Excellency Dr  Nayef Falah M. Al Hajraf

Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council.

The following statement was issued after the meeting:

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Ministerial Council has expressed sincere condolences on the sad demise of the late His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), who left behind a legacy of noble deeds, great achievements, a journey full of sincere giving, and sincere and tireless work for the good of the UAE, its progress and prosperity, and the thriving of its people. 

The Council offered its sincere condolences and sympathy to the UAE leadership, government and people, and to the Arab and Islamic nations, for this great loss. The Council also expressed its sincere appreciation for the role of the late deceased in strengthening the journey of the GCC with his brothers the leaders of the GCC states, and for his great effort to serve Arab and Islamic causes, the good of humanity, and the peace of the region and the world.

The Council congratulated His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on the occasion of his election as President of the UAE, expressing its confidence that His Highness’s wisdom will enhance the active participation of the UAE in supporting the blessed journey of the GCC, achieving its noble goals with his brothers, the leaders of the GCC states, maintaining the security of the Cooperation Council, and establishing its rules, in order to achieve stability and prosperity for the GCC countries and its peoples.

During the meeting, the Ministerial Council reviewed the developments of the joint Gulf action, and the developments of regional and international political issues, as follows:

Strengthening Joint Gulf Action:

1. The Ministerial Council was briefed on the efforts made by the working committees within the framework of the Cooperation Council to implement the decisions of the GCC Supreme Council at its 42d session, and the vision of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, King of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, with regards to strengthening joint Gulf action across all fields.

Counter-Terrorism:

2. The Ministerial Council affirmed the GCC’s firm stances towards terrorism and its rejection of all forms of violence and extremism, and the commitment of member states to continue their efforts within the international coalition to combat the ISIS (Daesh) terrorist organisation, and international and regional efforts against all extremist terrorist organisations and to dry up their sources of funding.

3. The Ministerial Council welcomed the joint statement of the Meeting of Foreign Ministers of the International Coalition Against ISIS (Daesh), held in Marrakesh, Kingdom of Morocco on May 11, 2022, which emphasised ensuring the permanent defeat of the terrorist organisation in Iraq and Syria, confronting the terrorist threat posed by the organisation in various regions of the world, and securing the coalition gains against it through full and comprehensive coordination of efforts to achieve stability.

4. The Ministerial Council endorsed the classification of the Houthi militias as a terrorist group and the imposition of an arms embargo on them by the United Nations, and called on all countries to include the Houthi group on their terrorist lists, and to firmly confront the dangerous spread of missile and drone technology, used by non-governmental extremist parties in Yemen and elsewhere.

5. The Ministerial Council condemned the terrorist attack that targeted a water pumping station in western Sinai in the Arab Republic of Egypt on May 7, 2022, resulting in the death and injury of a number of members of the Egyptian Armed Forces. It also condemned the terrorist attack that targeted a security outpost in North Sinai on May 12, 2022, leading to the death and injury of a number of security forces, and expressed its rejection of all forms of violence and terrorism aimed at destabilising security and stability in the Arab Republic of Egypt, stressing the support of the Cooperation Council to Egypt against terrorism.

6. The Ministerial Council condemned the terrorist bombings that took place on April 26, 2022, in the south of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan near a Chinese institute at the University of Karachi, leading to a number of casualties. The Council stressed the need to hold the perpetrators, orchestrators and financiers of these terrorist acts accountable and bring them to justice.

7. The Ministerial Council condemned the terrorist operations against the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, targeting innocent civilians and civilian facilities such as schools, places of worship and hospitals, stressing the solidarity of the Cooperation Council with the Republic of Afghanistan in fighting all terrorist organisations and enhancing security and stability in its territories.

Iranian Occupation of the Three Emirati Islands:

8. The Ministerial Council affirmed the firm positions and decisions of the Cooperation Council rejecting the continued occupation by Iran of the three Emirati islands; the Greater and Lesser Tunb, and Abu Musa, stressing the support for the sovereignty of the UAE over its three islands, its territorial waters, the airspace, the continental shelf and the special economic zone, which is a part of the territory of the UAE, and considering that any practices or actions carried out by Iran in the three islands are void and have no effect on the right of the sovereignty of the UAE over its three islands. The Ministerial Council called on Iran to respond to the efforts of the UAE to resolve the issue through direct negotiations or resort to the International Court of Justice.

The Palestinian Cause:

9. The Ministerial Council affirmed the firm positions of the GCC states on the Palestinian cause as the first cause of Arabs and Muslims, and their support for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state within the borders of June 4, 1967, with East Al Quds (Jerusalem) as its capital, and guaranteeing the rights of refugees, in accordance with the Arab Peace Initiative, the two-state solution and relevant international legitimacy resolutions. The Council also called on the international community and influential countries to exert more efforts to resume the peace process and negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian side.

10. The Ministerial Council welcomed the statement of the European Union on May 12, 2022, which condemned the Israeli plans to build 4,400 settlement units in the West Bank, calling on the Israeli authorities to stop such measures, which violate international laws and directly threaten the two-state solution and impede peace efforts.

11. The Ministerial Council welcomed the statement of the fourth meeting of the Arab Ministerial Committee in charge of international action to confront illegal Israeli policies and procedures in the city of Al Quds (Jerusalem) on April 21, 2022, stressing its categorical rejection of all Israeli practices to change the legal and historical situation in the blessed Al Aqsa Mosque, and any attempt to divide it temporally and spatially.

12. The Ministerial Council condemned the assassination of journalist Shireen Abu Aqleh by the Israeli occupation forces, and the injury of another journalist near Jenin camp while they were carrying out their journalistic duties, calling on the international community to open an investigation to hold the perpetrators of this heinous crime accountable and to prosecute those responsible before international justice.

Iran:

13. The Ministerial Council affirmed the firm positions and decisions of the Cooperation Council regarding relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran, stressing the need for its commitment to the principles based on the United Nations Charter and international law on relations between states, including the principles of good neighbourliness, respect for state sovereignty, and non-interference in internal affairs, resolving disputes by peaceful means, not using or threatening force, and rejecting terrorism and sectarianism.

14. The Ministerial Council stressed the need for negotiations on the Iranian nuclear file, and any future negotiations with Iran, to include its destabilising behaviour in the region, its sponsorship of terrorism and sectarian militias, its missile programme, and the safety of international navigation and oil installations. The Council also stressed the need for the GCC states to participate in those negotiations and all regional and international discussions and meetings related to this matter.

Yemen:

15. The Ministerial Council affirmed its full support for the Presidential Leadership Council and its supporting entities to enable it to carry out its tasks in achieving security and stability in Yemen, and welcomed the invitation by the Presidential Leadership Council to the Houthis to start negotiations under the supervision of the United Nations to reach a political solution, in accordance with the GCC initiative and its Executive Mechanism, the outcomes of the National Dialogue Conference and the Security Council resolution 2216, in a manner that preserves the sovereignty, unity, territorial integrity and independence of brotherly Yemen.

16. The Ministerial Council welcomed the Presidential Leadership Council taking the constitutional oath before the House of Representatives in the interim capital, Aden, and the exercise of its constitutional duties alongside the Yemeni government from Aden. The Council also welcomed the Yemeni Parliament holding its sessions in Aden and unanimously granting its confidence in the government of political competencies and approving its general programme.

17. The Ministerial Council renewed its support for the efforts of the United Nations, led by its Special Envoy to Yemen, Hans Grundberg, and the efforts of the US Special Envoy to Yemen, Tim Lenderking, to reach a political solution. The Ministerial Council also praised the Yemeni government's adherence to the current humanitarian truce announced by the United Nations, calling for international pressure to be exerted on the Houthis to lift the siege on the city of Taiz and open the crossings there, as stipulated in the international armistice.

18. The Ministerial Council called on the parties who signed the Riyadh agreement to complete the implementation of the remaining provisions of the deal, and to provide support to the Yemeni government to carry out its work and begin works to develop the liberated areas.

19. The Ministerial Council welcomed the humanitarian initiative announced by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to release 163 Houthi prisoners who participated in the hostilities against the Kingdom’s lands as the move is an extension of Saudi's previous humanitarian initiatives to support the efforts and endeavours to put an end to the Yemeni crisis, spread peace and boost the Unites Nations' efforts to maintain the current truce and lay the foundation for a meaningful dialogue among the Yemeni parties.

20. The Ministerial Council commended the urgent support of $3 billion for the Yemeni economy,  2$ billion of which will be covered equally by Saudi and the United Arab Emirates and will be injected to support the Central Bank of Yemen, while the additional $1 billion will be paid by Saudi, with $600 million will be for supporting the purchase of oil derivative, and the remaining $400 will be dedicated for development projects and initiatives.

21. The Ministerial Council stressed the importance of brotherly and friendly countries participating in providing economic, humanitarian and development support to the Republic of Yemen to alleviate the suffering of the brotherly Yemeni people.

22. The Ministerial Council welcomed the signing of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with the Republic of Yemen an agreement to extend the period of its deposit which was given to the Central Bank of Yemen in 2018 in order to enhance the financial and economic situation of the Republic of Yemen.

23. The Ministerial Council commended the achievements of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center and praised the development projects that have been carried out by the Saudi Development and Reconstruction Programme for Yemen. It also lauded HH Shaikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani’s donation of $90 million to Yemen through the World Food Programme. It also welcomed the State of Qatar’s announcement of contributing $2 million during the Safer Pledging Conference to address the threat of a major oil spill from the floating storage and offloading unit (FSO) Safer. The Council also praised the humanitarian support extended by the GCC's Office of Humanitarian and Relief Assistance Coordination to the Republic of Yemen. The Council also valued the humanitarian and development assistance provided by the GCC to Yemen, whose total amount exceeded $35 billion.  The Council commended the efforts of the Saudi Project for Landmine Clearance "MASAM"  to clear the Yemeni lands of mines, which, since its launch in June 2018, has managed to remove more than (343,000) mines, ammunition and explosive devices randomly planted by the Houthi militia.

24. The Ministerial Council condemned Iran's continued interference in the internal affairs of the Republic of Yemen, and the smuggling of military experts and weapons to the Houthi militia, in clear violation of Security Council resolutions 2216, 2231, and 2624. The Council stressed the importance of combating the smuggling of arms to the Houthi militia, which threatens the freedom of maritime navigation and global trade in the Bab Al Mandab Strait as well as the Red Sea.

25. The Ministerial Council held the terrorist Houthi militia responsible for the situation of the FSO Safer and for any damage caused by not allowing the United Nations' technical team to access and maintain the tank, which could cause the largest environmental disaster in the Red Sea with serious consequences on various humanitarian, environmental and economic levels in the event oil leaked into it. The Ministerial Council called on the international community to move quickly by mounting pressure on the Houthis to stop intransigence and to end the use of the situation of Safer for political purposes.

Iraq:

26. The Ministerial Council condemned the bombing that targeted the city of Erbil in the Kurdistan Region of the Republic of Iraq and expressed its support for what was stated in the statement issued by the Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs on May 11, 2022, in which it expressed its condemnation of the Iranian bombing that affected a number of sites in the city of Erbil in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq and affirmed not using the Iraqi lands as a headquarters or corridor to threaten the security of neighbouring countries, in a manner that preserves Iraq's sovereignty and enhances the security and stability of the region.

27. The Ministerial Council reiterated its support for the Security Council Resolution 2107 (2013), regarding the referral of the file of prisoners and missing persons, Kuwaiti property, and the National Archives to the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI). The Ministerial Council stated that it is looking forward for Iraq to continue cooperating to ensure progress in these matters and called on Iraq and the UN to make Maximum efforts in order to reach a solution toward these files, especially completing the demarcation of the maritime borders beyond mark 162.

Syria:

28. The Ministerial Council affirmed the firm positions of the Gulf Cooperation Council regarding the Syrian crisis, preserving its territorial integrity, respecting its independence and sovereignty as well as meeting the aspirations of the brotherly Syrian people, stressing its support for the efforts of the United Nations to reach a political solution in Syria in accordance with Security Council Resolution No. 2254 and the principles of the Geneva 1 statement. The Ministerial Council also supported the efforts of its Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen, hoping that the meetings of the Constitutional Committee in Syria would result in a quick consensus.

Lebanon:

29. The Ministerial Council expressed the GCC’s unwavering solidarity with the Lebanese people to achieve everything that would preserve Lebanon’s security and stability and welcomed the success of the electoral process in Lebanon that took place on May 15, 2022. The Ministerial Council also expressed that it's looking forward to seeing the elected members of the Parliament and all political groups in Lebanon work on achieving the aspirations of the brotherly Lebanese people for stability, progress, prosperity, constructive cooperation with international organisations as well as implementing the necessary reforms, combating corruption and mismanagement in addition to ensuring that Lebanon is not a springboard for any terrorist acts or an incubator for terrorist organisations and groups that target the security and stability of Lebanon and the region and that it is not a source of drug smuggling.

Sudan:

30. The Ministerial Council affirmed the firm positions and decisions of the GCC member states regarding the importance of preserving Sudan’s security, safety and stability, achieving the aspirations of its brotherly people, and supporting the dialogue between the political groups and Sudanese parties, which is sponsored by the tripartite mechanism composed of the United Nations, the African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development “IGAD” to address the political crisis in Sudan and establish a full civilian transitional authority. 

Libya:

31. The Ministerial Council expressed its concern over the developments and clashes that took place in the Libyan capital, Tripoli, on May 15, 2022, calling on the Libyan parties to exercise restraint and calm and to give priority to the supreme national interest, stressing the need to preserve the ceasefire agreement and prevent the outbreak of a new wave of violence.

32. The Ministerial Council affirmed the decisions of the GCC regarding the crisis in Libya which aim to achieve security and stability in it, ensure its sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity as well as stop interference in its internal affairs, pave the way for the outflows of all foreign forces and mercenaries from Libyan territory, support efforts to confront the terrorist organisation (ISIS), and back the efforts of the United Nations to reach a political solution, hold elections, and achieve the aspirations of the brotherly Libyan people.

Afghanistan:

33. The Ministerial Council stressed the importance of restoring security and stability in the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and reaching a consensual political solution that takes into account the interests of all components of the Afghan people in a way that achieves their aspirations, benefits regional and international peace and security. The Ministerial Council called on the de facto authority to meet its obligations to guarantee women's right to education and work, protect minorities, and ensure that Afghan lands are not used by any terrorist groups or to export drugs.

Joint Ministerial Meeting with Russia:

34. The Ministerial Council welcomed the results of the joint ministerial meeting held on June 1, 2022, with HE Mr Sergey Lavrov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, and noted the continuation of the dialogue with the Russian Federation through the memorandum of understanding signed in November 2011.

Joint Ministerial Meeting with Ukraine:

35. The Ministerial Council welcomed the results of the joint ministerial meeting held on June 1, 2022, with HE Mr Andriy Yermak, Director of the Office of the President of Ukraine, and HE Mr Dmytro Kuleba, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine. The Council noted the continuation of dialogue with the Republic of Ukraine through the memorandum of understanding signed in November 2017.

The Crisis Between Russia and Ukraine:

36. The Ministerial Council affirmed that the GCC's position on the Russian-Ukrainian crisis is based on the principles of international law and the Charter of the United Nations, and the preservation of the international order based on respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of states, non-interference in their internal affairs, and non-use or threat of force.

37. The Ministerial Council affirmed its support for mediation efforts to resolve the crisis between Russia and Ukraine, reach a ceasefire agreement, establish a political solution to the crisis, give priority to dialogue, and settle the conflict through negotiations.

38. The Ministerial Council valued the humanitarian and relief assistance provided by the GCC member states to Ukraine.

39. The Ministerial Council expressed its support for all efforts to facilitate the export of grain and all food as well as humanitarian supplies from Ukraine to contribute to providing food security for the affected countries.

Strategic Partnerships Between the GCC and Other Countries and Groups:

40. The Ministerial Council welcomed the issuance of the European Union’s strategy on the Gulf region on May 18, 2022, to strengthen the strategic partnership with the GCC, stressing the importance of bolstering frameworks of partnership, cooperation and dialogue with brotherly and friendly countries and regional as well as international organisations.

 

Issued at the General Secretariat of the GCC

On Wednesday, June 1, 2022.