GCC, Turkey urge Iran to stop meddling in regional affairs
‘JASTA runs contrary to international law’
RIYADH: Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations and Turkey called on Iran Thursday not to interfere in their internal affairs and to respect national sovereignty, in line with United Nations (UN) charters. The remarks were included in a joint statement issued at the fifth GCC/Turkish high-level strategic dialogue, with participation of Kuwait’s First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah.
Moreover, the statement urged Iran to find peaceful solutions to its dispute with the UAE over three islands occupied by Tehran and claimed by the UAE. It also called on Iran to adhere to the nuclear agreement reached with the p5+1 group of nations (US, Britain, France, China, Russia plus Germany). On the Middle East region, particularly, the Gulf, the statement noted that it is imperative for the region to be void of weapons of mass destruction, including nuclear ones.
JASTA rejected
The GCC and Turkey meanwhile voiced rejection of the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act (JASTA) recently passed by the US Congress. The session said that JASTA runs contrary of principles of the international law, especially the fundamental one of “equal sovereignty.”
In a communique, the session that brought together foreign ministers from the two sides, and the Turkish minister of economy, urged review of the Act for its negative impact on inter-country relations, including the US itself.
Meanwhile, the two sides reiterated their unwavering stance against extremism, and terrorism, voicing commitment to fight extremist thoughts adopted by terror groups distorting Islam. The ministers condemned the suicide and terrorist attacks that hit Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Kuwait and Bahrain, and other places.
They reaffirmed commitment to fight the so-called Islamic State (IS) in Syria and Iraq by all means, within the framework of the USled international coalition, supporting all relevant efforts. The meeting condemned the attacks by the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) against Turkey, saying Ankara had the right to defend itself against it.
The GCC and the Turkish ministers stressed the necessity of intensifying coordination and cooperation, both bilateral and international, to counter the challenges facing the region, and to defeat terrorism, in order to enhance security and stability in the region.
Palestine
On Palestine, the GCC-Turkey dialogue pointed to the necessity of concluding and agreement for comprehensive, everlasting and just peace in the region that could lead to ending the Israeli occupation and establishing an independent Palestinian state, based on resolutions of the international legitimacy and the Arab Initiative of 2002. They said that the Israeli settlements built on occupied Arab territories are ‘illegitimate.’
In addition, the ministers expressed support to the French Initiative and similar international efforts to settle the Palestinian cause, urging faster steps for an international peace conference for the Middle East.
In the meantime, the ministers called for an overall, just and lasting settlement in Cyprus by the end of the year through the ongoing UN negotiations. They also urged an end to the isolation of the Turkish Cypriots, in line with calls by the UN Secretary General and the relevant resolutions of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
On Libya, the GCC-Turkey dialogue welcomed the outcome of the ministerial meeting held on the North African country in New York in September, which reiterated support to the Libyan consensus government, as the only legitimate one. The two sides agreed to hold the coming session of the strategic dialogue in 2017.
Boosting cooperation
Meanwhile, the GCC and Turkey have reiterated strong bilateral ties, and desire to promote cooperation through the High Level Strategic Dialogue founded in Jeddah, Saudi Arabic, in September 2008.
The meeting reviewed the latest developments in the Middle East, and the regional and international issues of common concern. In a communique, the GCC and Turkey stressed importance of achieving people’s legitimate expectations, stability, prosperity and improving the standard of living.
The ministers voiced relief over the 5th session, and the calm and meaningful dialogue seeking to achieve progress in joint priorities. They agreed to extend the bilateral current joint action plan to end by 2018, promoting it to cope with developments of strategic dialogue.
The session tasked the joint task teams to proceed with meetings for further cooperation in trade, investment, agriculture, food security, culture, health, education, intensifying efforts for implementing the joint action plan.
According to the final statement, the two sides agreed to hold the third meeting of the joint trade and investment task team in 2017, reaffirming intention to remove barriers to trade and investment as soon as possible.
The ministers welcomed the 2nd GCC-Turkey Business and Investment Forum slated for November 21 in Bahrain. They congratulated Saudi Arabia for the success of this Hajj (Pilgrimage) season, highly appreciating the Kingdom’s efforts in that respect.
Failed coup
Meanwhile, the GCC reiterated solidarity with Turkey after the failed coup attempt in the country in July. They voiced support to Ankara’s measures against the Fethullah Gulen movement, accused of the coup.
In the meantime, the GCC and the Turkish ministers condemned the recent attack on the UAE Navy vessel HSV-2 Swift off the Yemeni coast, though it was delivering humanitarian aid and evacuating wounded Yemenis for treatment in the UAE.
It is a ‘terrorist attack’ likely to undermine the regional and international efforts to deliver humanitarian aid to Yemenis. By the same token, the ministers expressed worry over the abduction of Qatari citizens in southern Iraq in December.