GCC urged to ‘close ranks’ in face of regional dangers
UK ‘can play vital role’ to end Arab World conflicts
Saudi Minister of Justice Dr Walid Al-Samaani yesterday called on the GCC member states to ‘close ranks and coordinate’ in face of dangers coming from regional hot spots. In a statement inaugurating the 28th Justice Ministers’ meeting, the minister said the agenda includes a host of issues namely convicts’ extradition accord “which had been subjected to examination for a long period of time.” He expressed hope that the agreement would be adopted this year, and hoped that the GCC countries would work out a special blog for justice personnel and common rules for combating human trades. The conferees, he added, would examine a proposal by the GCC General Secretariat regarding a joint law for combating terrorism and updating the agreement on verdicts’ execution, libel suits and judicial announcements in the Council member countries.
British-Arab ties
Meanwhile, Kuwaiti Ambassador to the UK Khaled Al-Duweisan has hailed the strong British-Arab ties, noting that the UK can play a vital role in bringing peace and stability to the Arab World. Al-Duweisan’s statement was made to KUNA and Kuwait TV late Tuesday, after a banquet held with Arab ambassadors in the UK, on the sidelines of a conference of the UK’s Conservative Party. The party was represented by Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Boris Johnson and Secretary of State for Middle East and Africa Tobias Ellwood.
Arab states are optimistic about the UK’s role in resolving security issues, as the region is facing the hardest time with wars and conflicts in Syria, Libya and other countries, he said. In response to a question asked by KUNA on the effect of the Brexit vote on the British-Arab ties, the ambassador noted that senior British officials said this step will allow the UK to have more freedom in cooperation with the Arabs on different levels, without referring to the EU’s terms. On his part, Bahraini Ambassador to the UK Sheikh Fawaz bin Mohammad Al Khalifa said the Brexit decision will not affect the strong relations between the Gulf States and the UK.
Directly after the Brexit vote, the Gulf States expressed their eagerness to further develop trade with the UK by signing a free trade agreement, he noted. He said that the Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Abdullatif Al-Zayani and the UK’s Secretary of State for International Trade Liam Fox have recently discussed the terms of signing such an agreement during their meeting in London. Sheikh Fawaz added that Fox will take part in the upcoming meeting of GCC ministers of commerce to be held in Riyadh next month, where the two sides will discuss the agreement.
Bahrain praises Amir
In another development, Bahraini Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Mubarak Al-Khalifa praised endeavors of His Highness Kuwait Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah in international arena to serve peace and stability. During his reception of the Kuwaiti Ambassador to Bahrain Sheikh Azzam Mubarak Al-Sabah, Al-Khalifa asserted the deep-rooted bilateral ties between his country and Kuwait in all domains.
Ambassador Azzam stressed the deep-rooted bilateral relations between the two countries and their rapid expansion under the wise leadership of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber AlSabah and King of Bahrain Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. Bahrain and Kuwait are members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), founded in the early 80s to cement cooperation among the regional countries at various domains and in the face of external threats. The regional bloc includes Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar and Oman. Kuwait and Bahrain have maintained very close and solid bonds since many years ago. — Agencies