UAE | General
GCC names Turkey first strategic partner outside the Gulf
The foreign ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) held a meeting in Jeddah last night with Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan on the sidelines of their 108th Ministerial Council session.
- By Mariam Al Hakeem, Correspondent
- Published: 23:47 September 3, 2008
Riyadh: The foreign ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) held a meeting in Jeddah last night with Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan on the sidelines of their 108th Ministerial Council session.
During the meeting the ministers declared Turkey a strategic partner of the GCC and signed a memorandum of understanding.
Turkey has become the first country outside the Gulf to be given the status of strategic partner of the GCC.
The memorandum of understanding was signed by the Turkish foreign minister and Qatari Prime Minister Shaikh Hamad Bin Jasem Bin Jabr Al Thani, who is current chairman of the GCC Ministerial Council, and GCC Secretary General Abdul Rahman Al Attiyah.
In a press conference on Tuesday, the Qatari premier said: "The signing of the memo is a step on the way to strategic relations and it is vital for both the GCC countries and Turkey."
He said the Turkish GCC accord has nothing to do with the balance of power in the region and expressed the hope that they would be able to sign a similar memo of understanding with Iran.
Annual meetings
"The cooperation with Turkey is important and we hope to come to the signing of such a memorandum with Iran," he said.
Babacan called for political, economic, military and security cooperation with the GCC countries and proposed the holding of an annual meeting with the foreign ministers of the two sides.
"Turkey believes that institutionalising our relations with the council will serve our common interests and open new horizons for our cooperation," he said.
He also underlined the importance Turkey attached to the stability and security of the Gulf countries.
"Today, there is a belt of crises in the Middle East, and it is unfortunately in an area between Turkey in the north and the Gulf in the south," he said.
The minister said that the location of Turkey and the Gulf countries could help provide a solution to the crises and contribute to regional stability.
Babacan said he wished to sign a free trade agreement with the council as soon as possible, and expressed his expectation from the member states to make greater investments in Turkey.
The GCC ministers discussed a number of other issues, including the Iranian occupation of three UAE islands, the Palestinian cause and the means of supporting the GCC march in all areas as well as adopting nuclear technology for peaceful purposes, in addition to strategic dialogue between the GCC countries and China.
The ministers condemned Iran's establishment of two administrative offices on Abu Mousa island, which is part of the UAE, and demanded that Iran remove the illegal installations and respect UAE sovereignty on its lands.
Latest news
- Competition for aspiring photographers
- Dubai porter found dead inside container
- Dubai Municipality plans new zoo in emirate
- Strong winds and haze expected in the UAE
- Dubai Police deny reports of Burj Khalifa fire
- New road eases traffic problems in Dubai
- Abu Dhabi hosts strong man contest
- Farmers to be taught techniques to improve yield
- Keep recycling bins open
- President of Wollongong varsity about his plans
- Challenging role in Libya
- Parachuting event promises rich fare
- UAE ministry backs efficacy of Tas'heel system
- UAE students on research trip to Antarctica
- Brothers held in Sharjah for possessing heroin
Community Reports
-
Keep recycling bins open
People should be allowed to do their part as the world moves towards a greener future
-
Bridges needed
Al Ittihad Road has no pedestrian facilities as one nears Sharjah
-
Street lights needed
Authorities urged to act with haste before a major accident occurs in Al Nahda, Dubai
-
Motorists ignore stop sign on buses
Overtaking school vehicles can put students' lives at risk
