EP reiterates support to Kuwait efforts to resolve the Gulf crisis
Mogherini throws weight behind Kuwait mediation
BRUSSELS, June 21, (KUNA): The European Parliament (EP) Thursday reaffirmed their support to the efforts by His Highness the Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah to find a resolution to the Gulf crisis.
This position was expressed during a meeting of visiting Qatari Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani with the EP Foreign Affairs Committee in Brussels today.
Chair of the EP’s Foreign Affairs Committee David McAllister in his remarks said: “The European Union has good relations with all countries in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) including Qatar.” He noted that both the EU and the EP have adopted a neutral position on the ongoing crisis in the Gulf.
“We support Kuwaiti mediation efforts in the Gulf crisis as GCC cohesion is critical to fostering cooperation and stability,” he said.
“We believe de-escalation is vital for regional stability. The crisis should be an opportunity for the GCC to emerge stronger,” he stressed.
On his part, the Qatari foreign minister said: “Kuwait is the main mediator and leading these efforts and all our international partners are supporting the mission of His Highness the Amir of Kuwait.”
“Qatar has engaged very positively with His Highness the Amir of Kuwait,” he said and noted the recent letter by His Highness the Amir of Kuwait inviting the GCC leaders to come and discuss all these developments.
“We see that the resolution will come through a positive dialogue,” he said.
Al-Thani in his intervention spoke about the economic, political and social developments in his country and also referred to regional issues and the fight against terrorism.
He called on the EU to support a regional security dialogue.
European Union (EU) High Representative Federica Mogherini on Thursday “reiterated the EU support to an intra-Gulf negotiated solution and Kuwait’s mediation in this regard.” She made the remark when she met in Brussels with visiting Qatari Foreign Ministers Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani.
Mogherini stressed that the “security and stability dividends deriving from a return to GCC unity would not be limited to the region, but go far beyond and serve the overall interests of the international community,” according to a press statement released by Mogherini’s office.
In this regard, it was agreed to establish an informal dialogue on Human Rights as a way to step up bilateral dialogue and to complement the regular exchanges between EU institutions and the Qatari National Human Rights Commission, it added.
During the meeting, they exchanged views on a number of topics of common interest, including the situation in the Gulf region, Libya and the Middle East Peace Process.