RIYADH: The joint ministerial meeting of foreign ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is critical to coordinating mechanisms to confront ongoing challenges, Kuwait’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdullah Al-Yahya said Monday. Al-Yahya told KUNA after the conclusion of the 161st session of the GCC Ministerial Council that the periodic meeting is being held in light of the many, precise, and complex regional and international challenges the region is witnessing.

The minister added that discussions focused on enhancing Gulf integration in the political, security, economic, and social fields, based on the directives of GCC leaders, with the goal of advancing cooperation towards achieving more integration that positively reflects on the GCC countries and their people. The ministerial council stressed the need to intensify efforts to enhance mechanisms of continuous coordination between the GCC countries to confront current challenges, especially in light of the increasing regional tensions and global crises that directly affect the stability and security of the region.

Al-Yahya pointed out that the joint Gulf action is proceeding according to ambitious strategic plans that include strengthening the security system and defense cooperation, in addition to achieving economic integration and supporting sustainable development efforts. Regarding the Palestinian issue, Al-Yahya stated that the meeting discussed in detail the deteriorating humanitarian conditions in the occupied Palestinian territories, especially in the Gaza Strip, which suffers from a severe siege and continuous attacks.

He stressed that the Ministerial Council agreed on the need to continue coordinating diplomatically in this regard before the next Arab Ministerial Meeting scheduled to be held in Cairo. The minister said that the GCC countries adhere to their firm and principled position in supporting the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people while continuing to support international and regional efforts aimed at achieving a comprehensive and just solution based on UN resolutions and international law.

In another context, the ministerial meeting witnessed a series of important bilateral meetings with the foreign ministers of Russia, India, and Brazil to strengthen strategic relations and develop areas of cooperation in many vital sectors of common interest. Al-Yahya headed Kuwait’s delegation in the GCC 161st Ministerial Council meeting at the bloc’s headquarters in Riyadh. — KUNA