Muscat: Saudi Arabia, UAE and Bahrain’s dispute does not threaten the unity and integrity of the Gulf Cooperation Council, said Yousuf Bin Alawi Bin Abdullah, Oman’s Minister Responsible for Foreign Affairs, in comments published in a state newspaper.
“There may be some minor differences among the siblings of the Arabian Peninsula but these won’t affect the growth of the GCC countries,” he said, adding that the Gulf states are not as fragile as believed by some. He said that he hoped ties would revived over a period of time.
Commenting on Iranian President Hassan Rouhani’s trip to Oman, his first to an Arab country since becoming president, the minister told a state-owned Oman daily that the visit has been appreciated by Sultan Qaboos Bin Said and the Omani people “as it is Rouhani’s first visit within the framework of bilateral relations between Oman and Iran,” reported Oman News Agency. He said that the visit would add a new dimension to relations, and will contribute to enhancing cooperation between the two nations in all fields.
The minister stressed the importance of increasing cooperation between the two sides in various fields in order to achieve development, and to meet the aspirations of the people.
He confirmed Oman’s role in successfully negotiating between the West and Iran, referring to the alleged secret meetings Muscat hosted between the United States and Iran last year. Bin Alawi had previously played down Oman’s role in the negotiations.
“We are proud of our stupendous efforts since the tenure of Bill Clinton for bringing warring rivals to the negotiating table to resolve their differences,” he added.
On Syria, Bin Alawi said that Oman maintains equidistance from the Al Assad government as well as the opposition but wants communication channels to remain open for a peaceful solution to the crisis. “We consider that the solution lies in the Geneva talks. Now it’s for the parties to count their losses and gains and draw conclusions,” said Bin Alawi.
The filling of the Syrian seat at the Arab League can only be done with established procedures that have yet to be fullfilled by the opposition. According to Bin Alawi, the Arab Spring in 2011 was sparked by the new generation who were facing certain injustices, however, some people took undue advantage of the movement.
Bin Alawi often stresses the role of the youth in the Arab world in bringing change and development. He has argued that the Gulf union that was proposed by Saudi Arabia to replace the GCC, should also be left to the next generation of Gulf citizens to adopt.
