MANAMA — Foreign ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states and United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized their commitment to solidifying regional security and further bolstering strategic partnership between the two sides.
Their discussions at the GCC-US Joint Ministerial Meeting, held in Manama on Thursday, focused on the latest developments regarding the Iranian issue and the strategic partnership between the two sides. Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan is among the GCC foreign ministers attending the meeting.
Addressing the meeting, Rubio said the United States wanted to ensure the interests of its partners and allies in the region were taken into account throughout the negotiating process, and that no part of the deal would undermine the security, stability or prosperity of Gulf partners. He sought to dispute Iran’s control of the Strait of Hormuz, saying the waterway was not owned by any country.
“We want to ensure that any decisions that are made throughout this negotiating process, the interests of our partners and our allies in the region are always taken into account – that there is no part of this deal that’s undertaken that in any way undermines the security, the stability, or the prosperity of any of our partners in the Gulf region.”
Rubio said that the United States is keen to pursue the opportunity to enter into constructive dialogue and hopefully agreements with Iran, leading to a very positive outcome. “We now enter a new phase and one that we hope will lead to peace.It’s what we all desire.It’s what we all desire is for this region to be a place where people are focused on making money, not bombs, not weapons; where they’re focused on improving the economic lives of their people, not on how to attack other countries.This is what we want for the region.Frankly, this is what we want for the world.But we understand there are challenges to that,” he said.
The Manama meeting followed the signing of the memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran, amid Gulf interest in monitoring developments in the negotiation process and its implications for the security and stability of the region. Washington sought to reassure Gulf allies that any agreement with Iran would protect their security and economic interests.
The foreign ministers discussed the latest developments related to the US-Iranian negotiations, in light of recent understandings, as well as mechanisms for joint coordination on regional issues of common interest.
Rubio had affirmed, during his current Gulf tour, that Washington would involve its Gulf allies in discussions concerning any decision taken regarding the negotiations with Iran. The talks also address ways to strengthen the strategic partnership between the United States and the GCC countries, particularly on issues related to regional security, freedom of navigation, and the stability of energy markets, in addition to coordinating joint efforts to confront regional challenges.
Bahrain is the final stop on Rubio’s Gulf tour, which already took him to the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait, as part of intensive US diplomatic efforts aimed at strengthening coordination with Gulf allies amidst the rapidly evolving situation in the region.
Source: Saudi Gazette