News

HE Khalifa Shaheen Al Marar

Minister of State of the United Arab Emirates

HE Dr Shaikh Abdullah bin Ahmed Al KhalifaUndersecretary for Political at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain

HE Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamoud Al BusaidiMinister of Foreign Affairs of the Sultanate of Oman

HE Shaikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar

HE Shaikh Dr Ahmed Nasser Al Mohammed Al Sabah

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kuwait

HE Dr Nayef Falah M. Al Hajraf

Secretary General of the GCC,

The meeting also witnessed the participation of Mr Hans Grundberg, the United Nations (UN) Special Envoy to Yemen, who briefed the Ministerial Council on the latest developments of his efforts toward achieving security and stability in Yemen,  who, in turn, praised the success of the Yemeni consultations, which were held under the patronage of the GCC and the efforts of the Council in making the consultations successful to end the Yemeni crisis and restore security and safety across the country.

The meeting issued the following statement: 

The Ministerial Council welcomed the success of the Yemeni consultations which were held under the patronage of the GCC from March 29 to April 7, 2022, in which the Yemeni representatives agreed to draw a road map for moving Yemen from a state of war and disintegration to a state of peace and security across its regions, and establish reconciliation between its people as well as integrate with its Gulf and Arab surroundings in order to enable Yemen to restore security, peace, and stability as well as enabling its dignified people to recover their normal life and meet all their aspirations.

The Council welcomed the decision of HE President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi, President of the Republic of Yemen, regarding the formation of the Presidential Leadership Council to administer the state politically, militarily, and security during the transitional period, and to complete the implementation of the tasks of the transitional phase after delegating it with the full powers of the President of the Republic.

The Council welcomed the decision of HE President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi , President of the Republic of Yemen, regarding the formation of the Presidential Leadership Council to administer the state politically, militarily, and security during the transitional period, and to complete the implementation of the tasks of the transitional phase, and to delegate it with the full powers of the President of the Republic.

The Council expressed its full support for Presidential Leadership Council and its supporting entities to enable it to exercise its duties in implementing effective policies and initiatives that would achieve security and stability in Yemen. Moreover, the Council encouraged the Presidential Leadership Council to start negotiating with the Houthis under the supervision of the United Nations to reach a final and comprehensive political solution in accordance with the terms of the GCC initiative and its executive mechanisms, the outcomes of the comprehensive National Dialogue Conference, and the Security Council Resolution no. 2216, in a manner that preserves Yemen’s unity and integrity, respects its sovereignty and independence and rejects any interference in its internal affairs.

The Council also reiterated its support for the efforts of the UN that are led by its Special Envoy to Yemen, Mr Hans Grundberg, and the efforts of the United States' Special Envoy to Yemen, Mr Tim Lenderking, to reach a political solution according to those references.

Furthermore, the Council commended the announcement of the provision of (2) billion dollars equally between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, in support of the Central Bank of Yemen. The Council also praised the provision of (1) billion dollars from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, including 600 million dollars for the Fund to support the purchase of oil derivatives, and 400 million dollars for development projects and initiatives, in addition to providing 300 million dollars to finance the humanitarian response plan announced by the UN for the year 2022 to improve the living standards of the Yemeni people and the services provided to them. The Council stressed the importance of holding an international conference to mobilise the financial resources needed to support the Yemeni economy and the Central Bank of Yemen.

Meanwhile, the Ministerial Council reviewed the developments of the joint GCC action, and the updates of the political issues regionally and internationally, as follows:

Strengthening the joint GCC action:

1. The Ministerial Council was briefed on the topics on its agenda, and the efforts made by the working committees within the framework of the GCC and the General Secretariat to implement the decisions of the Supreme Council of the GCC that were issued at its 42nd 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, regarding strengthening the joint GCC action in all fields.

2. The Ministerial Council reviewed the process of economic and development integration among the GCC member states, and reviewed the decisions taken by the Financial and Economic Cooperation Committee and the Ministerial Committee for Transport and Communications in their two extraordinary meetings that were held during the month of January 2022, to implement the decision issued at the 42nd session of the Supreme Council (December 2021, Riyadh) related to accelerating the completion of the remaining steps for the establishment of the customs union and the implementation of the action lines of the joint GCC market according to a specific timetable before the end of 2024 as well as activating the work of the Customs Union Authority. The Ministerial Council also reviewed the decision related to the establishment of the Gulf Railways Authority and authorising the Committee of Ministers of Transportation and Telecommunications to approve the tasks and organisational structure of the authority and take the necessary measures to start its work.

Regional and International Issues:

3. The Ministerial Council followed the developments of the ongoing events in Ukraine and affirmed its support for all efforts aimed at resolving the crisis through dialogue and diplomacy, preserving the international order based on respect for the Charter of the UN and international law, settling international disputes by peaceful means, and not using force or the threat of force to resolve disputes between states. The Ministerial Council called on for commitment toward the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states and addressing all issues of disputes through these aforementioned principles.

4. The Ministerial Council welcomed the outcomes of the meeting of the 26th session of the Joint Ministerial Council between the GCC and the European Union in Brussels that was held on February 21, 2022, and resulted in the adoption of the joint work programme for the period 2022-2027.

Anti-terrorism:

5. 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 the member states to continue their efforts within the international coalition to combat Daesh terrorist organisation as well as other international and regional endeavors against all extremist and terrorist organisations and to dry up their sources of funding.

Anti-terrorism:

5. The Ministerial Council affirmed the GCC’s firm stances toward terrorism and its rejection of all forms of violence and extremism, and the commitment of the member states to continue their efforts within the international coalition to combat Daesh terrorist organisation as well as other international and regional endeavors against all extremist and terrorist organisations and to dry up their sources of funding.

6. The Ministerial Council condemned the continuation of the systematic terrorist attacks by the Iranian-backed terrorist Houthi militia that is launching Iranian-made ballistic missiles as well as drones targeting civilians and civilian objects as well as vital and oil installations in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, describing their horrendous acts as threats to security and stability in the region as they also interrupt oil supplies to global markets, and terming them as a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law. The Ministerial Council affirmed its support for all measures taken by the United Arab Emirates and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to defend themselves and confront these hostile acts in order to protect their security and stability.

6. The Ministerial Council condemned the continuation of the systematic terrorist attacks by the Iranian-backed terrorist Houthi militia that is launching Iranian-made ballistic missiles as well as drones targeting civilians and civilian objects as well as vital and oil installations in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, describing their horrendous acts as threats to security and stability in the region as they also interrupt oil supplies to global markets, and terming them as a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law. The Ministerial Council affirmed its support for all measures taken by the United Arab Emirates and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to defend themselves and confront these hostile acts in order to protect  their security and stability.

7. The Ministerial Council welcomed the Security Council’s statement issued on January 21, 2022, in which it condemned in the strongest terms the heinous terrorist attacks that took place in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, on January 17, 2022, and in other locations in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which were committed the Houthis who claimed responsibility of these attacks. 

8. The Ministerial Council welcomed Security Council Resolution No. 2624 (2022) issued on February 28, 2022, classifying the Houthis as a terrorist group, in which it called them the “Houthi terrorist group” and condemned the attacks they perpetrated against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, and demanded an immediate halt to those attacks. It also welcomed the UN Security Council’s inclusion of the Houthis as an entity on the UN list of entities subject to the arms embargo in Yemen.

9. The Ministerial Council called on all countries of the world to classify the Houthi group as a terrorist organisation and to include it on terrorist lists, in line with UN Security Council Resolution 2624 (2022), and in view of its continued attacks targeting civilians and civilian objects and threatening the security and safety of maritime navigation, regional and international security and peace, and its rejection of initiatives that aim to spread peace in Yemen.

10. The Ministerial Council strongly condemned the Houthi terrorist militia’s piracy of the Al Rawabi ship, which carries the flag of the United Arab Emirates. Moreover, the Council welcomed the statement of the Security Council on January 14, 2022 condemning the Houthis for their piracy of the Al Rawabi ship, as well as the Security Council resolution 2624 (2022), which demanded the immediate release of the crew of the Al Rawabi ship.

11. The Ministerial Council condemned the terrorist bombing that targeted a mosque in Peshawar, Islamic Republic of Pakistan, on March 4, 2022, which led to the death and injury of many worshipers while performing Friday prayers, expressing the support of the GCC with the Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan in the face of terrorism and extremists.

Iranian Occupation of the Three Islands of the United Arab Emirates:

12. The Ministerial Council affirmed the firm positions and decisions of the GCC that are rejecting the continued occupation by Iran of the three islands of the United Arab Emirates: Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb and Abu Musa, stressing support for the sovereignty of the United Arab Emirates over its three islands, its territorial waters, airspace, continental shelf, and exclusive economic zone, considering them as an integral part of the territory of the United Arab Emirates. The Ministerial Council considered that any practices or actions carried out by Iran in the three islands are null and void and have no effect on the right of the sovereignty of the United Arab Emirates over its three islands. The Ministerial Council called on Iran to respond to the efforts of the United Arab Emirates to resolve the issue through direct negotiations or resort to the International Court of Justice.

13. The Ministerial Council denounced and condemned the recent visit of the Commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards’ Naval Forces on February 15, 2022, and his announcement of the opening of an airport on the occupied Greater Tunb Island.

The Palestinian Cause:

14. The Ministerial Council welcomed the statement issued by France, Germany, Spain, and Italy on January 19, 2022, expressing their grave concern over Israel’s decision to move forward with projects to build hundreds of new housing units in East Jerusalem as the construction of these new units leads to further encroachment on the territorial integrity between the West Bank and East Jerusalem, which represents an additional obstacle that undermines the two-state solution. The Ministerial Council supported the statement's urgent call on the Israeli authorities to reverse this decision.

15. The Ministerial Council called for the resumption of peace negotiations, stressing the firm positions of the GCC member states on the Palestinian issue as the top issue of Arabs and Muslims, and their support for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state within the borders of June 4, 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital, and guaranteeing the rights of refugees, in accordance with the Arab Peace Initiative and the two-state solution as well as the relevant international legitimacy resolutions.

Iran:

16. The Ministerial Council affirmed the GCC’s firm positions and decisions regarding relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran, stressing the need for its commitment to the principles of good neighborliness, respect for state sovereignty, non-interference in internal affairs, resolving disputes by peaceful means, non-use or threat of force, and rejection of terrorism and sectarianism, adherence to all the basic foundations and principles of the Charter of the United Nations and international law and covenants on relations between states.

17. The Ministerial Council condemned Iran’s continued interference in the internal affairs of Arab countries, smuggling weapons to the Houthi terrorist militia, and providing them with military experts, in clear violation of relevant Security Council resolutions, including resolutions 2216, 2231, and 2624.

18. The Ministerial Council stressed the need to address Iran’s destabilising behavior in the region, its sponsorship of terrorism and sectarian militias, the Iranian missile programme, and the safety of international navigation and oil facilities during the current and future negotiations on its nuclear programme. The Ministerial Council also stressed the need for the GCC member states to participate in those negotiations as well as all regional and international discussions and meetings related to this matter, given that this subject is related to the security, safety, and stability of the countries of the region.

19. The Ministerial Council affirmed the readiness of the GCC states to cooperate and deal seriously and effectively with the Iranian nuclear file, in a way that contributes to achieving common goals and interests within the framework of respect for sovereignty, good-neighborly policies, and respect for UN resolutions and international legitimacy to ensure the strengthening of regional and international security and stability.

20. The Ministerial Council denounced Iran's continued failure to fulfill its commitments and abuses in raising uranium enrichment rates beyond the need for peaceful uses and demanded Iran reverse this step and cooperate fully with the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Iraq:

21. The Ministerial Council condemned the missile attack on the city of Erbil in the Kurdistan region of Iraq, which was claimed by Iran, describing it as a blatant violation of international laws and a clear targeting of the sovereignty, security and stability of the brotherly Republic of Iraq. The Ministerial Council also condemned all terrorist operations against Iraq that aim at destabilising its security and stability. The Ministrial Council stressed that the GCC member states stand united by Iraq and support the existing efforts to combat terrorism and support it to confront terrorist groups and armed militias, praising the Iraqi government's role in combating terrorism in order to consolidate state sovereignty, enforce the law and achieve security and stability in the country.

22. The Ministerial Council reitrated its support for the Security Council Resolution No. 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:

23. The Ministerial Council welcomed the convening of the seventh round of the Constitutional Committee during the period March 21-25, 2022, stressing its support for the UN Special Envoy to Syria Mr Geir Pedersen, who is sponsoring these meetings to reach a political solution in accordance with Security Council Resolution 2254 and the principles of the Geneva Statement 1.

24. The Ministerial Council welcomed the call of the Secretary General of the UN on March 11, 2022, to extend the work of Security Council Resolution 2585 regarding humanitarian corridors in Syria for the delivery of aid.

Lebanon:

25. The Ministerial Council welcomed the positive points appeared in the statement of the Prime Minister of Lebanon and the renewal of the Lebanese government’s commitment to take the necessary measures to enhance cooperation and restore relations between the GCC countries and Lebanon. The Ministerial Council expressed its expectation to complete the constructive and practical measures that would contribute to the restoration of Lebanon’s role and position at the Arab and international levels, and that Lebanon and the brotherly Lebanese people enjoy security, stability, and prosperity.

26. The Ministerial Council affirmed the steadfast solidarity of the GCC with the Lebanese people to achieve everything that would preserve Lebanon’s security and stability, in light of the exceptional and difficult circumstances experienced by the brotherly Lebanese people. The Ministerial Council called on the Lebanese politicians from all parties to assume the national responsibility to achieve security, stability, and development in Lebanon in response to the aspirations of the Lebanese people. The Ministerial Council also encouraged the Lebanese politicians to constructively cooperate with international organisations, implement the necessary reforms, and combat corruption and mismanagement. The Ministerial Council also stated that Lebanon should not be a springboard for any terrorist acts and an incubator for terrorist organisations and groups that target the security and stability of the region, and not be a source of the drug scourge that threatens the safety of societies.

Libya:

27. The Ministerial Council affirmed keenness to preserve the interests of the brotherly Libyan people, to achieve security, stability, and development in Libya as well as to ensure its sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity, stop interfering in its internal affairs, and have all foreign forces and mercenaries leaving from the Libyan territory, and to support efforts made to counter the so-called Daesh terrorist organisation. The Ministerial Council expressed its support for the efforts of the UN to reach a political solution and set a new date for elections.

Sudan:

28. The Ministerial Council affirmed its support for the Republic of Sudan to enhance its security and stability and achieve the aspirations of the brotherly Sudanese people, and welcomed the Sudanese dialogue initiative sponsored by the UN. The Ministerial Council expressed its support for everything that would maintain security, stability, and development in the sisterly Republic of Sudan.

Afghanistan:

29. The Ministerial Council welcomed the results of the meeting between representatives of the GCC and the de-facto authority in Afghanistan, which was held in Doha, Qatar on February 14, 2022, during which the Council expressed its keenness to restore security and stability in the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, and to reach a consensual political solution that would take into consideration the interests of all components of the Afghan people, in a way that achieves the aspirations of the brotherly Afghan people, benefits regional and international peace and security as well as contributes to mobilising international support for providing humanitarian aid to the Afghan people and improving the country's economic conditions. The Ministerial Council underlined the importance of ensuring that the Afghan lands are not used by any International terrorist groups, and its territory won't be exploited to export drugs.

        Issued in the General Secretariat of the GCC

    On 6 Ramadan 1443 AH corresponding to 7 April 2022