RIYADH: The Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Jasem Al-Budaiwi, stressed on Sunday that water security for Egypt and Sudan is an integral part of Arab national security and refused any actions that might affect their rights to Nile water. Al-Budaiwi affirmed during a Gulf-Egyptian ministerial meeting in Riyadh that the GCC contributes to finding a solution for the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) in a way that meets the interests of all parties, stressing the need to reach an agreement by international law.

Al-Budaiwi said that the GCC is keen on enhancing historical ties with Egypt and supporting the two sides in many fields, stating, “Egypt is an important Arab dimension and an indispensable strategic fraternal partner for the GCC States.” The meeting is significant to discuss the ideal means to confront the challenges in the area and to strengthen cooperation according to strategic foundations to achieve security, stability, and international peace, Al-Budaiwi stated. Al-Budaiwi confirmed that the GCC stands with Palestine, especially in the Gaza Strip, where crimes are being committed daily by Zionist occupation forces against Palestinians. Al-Budaiwi called for a ceasefire, ensuring humanitarian aid be delivered to Palestinians, and for international law to take serious action in providing safety for civilians in Gaza.

Al-Budaiwi pointed out the importance of the initiative launched by Saudi Arabia in September 2023 in partnership with Egypt, the League of Arab States (LAS), Jordan, and the European Union. Al-Budaiwi added that the initiative’s aim is to revive peace and establish an independent Palestinian state on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, in accordance with the Arab Peace Initiative and international resolutions.

Morocco’s territorial integrity

Also, GCC Secretary-General renewed the Council’s firm stance and decisions in support of the Moroccan Sahara and preserving the foundations and stability of Morocco and its territorial integrity. Al-Budaiwi made the remark during the Moroccan-Gulf ministerial meeting, held in Riyadh on the sidelines of the 159th ministerial meeting of foreign ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries.

In his speech, Al-Budaiwi welcomed Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccans Residing Abroad in the Kingdom of Morocco, Nasser Bourita, expressing his hope to strengthen the distinguished historic bilateral relations between the Gulf States and Morocco and to support the existing strategic partnership between the two sides and develop it in various fields. He also referred to the historic summit, which brought together the Gulf States’ leaders and His Majesty King Mohammed VI and was held on April 20, 2015, in Riyadh to strengthen the strategic partnership between the Gulf Cooperation Council countries and the Kingdom of Morocco. — KUNA