GCC-EU ministerial meeting begins

Doha, May 24 (BNA): Qatari Foreign Minister Khaled Al-Attiyah said GCC-EU ministerial meeting, in Doha on Sunday, was held amidst critical regional and international developments, which required further bilateral cooperation to address common challenges. Addressing the opening session of the joint GCC-EU ministerial council, Al-Attiyah said the two sides should explore expansion of economic and trade relations, as well as coordinate positions regarding challenges facing the region to ultimately safeguard international peace and security. Al-Attiyah, whose country holds the rotating GCC presidency, called for addressing hurdles derailing the signing of the free trade agreement with the European Union. He noted that the EU was a strategic trade partner for the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, with bilateral trade exceeding 138 billion euros in 2014, up from 100 billion euros in 2010. He said the GCC looked forward to fostering cooperation in civil aviation. He said the GCC was keen on preserving unity and territorial integrity of Yemen, as well as respecting its sovereignty and rejecting interference in its internal affairs, in addition to backing the legitimate leadership, resuming the political process in line with the GCC initiative and its implementation mechanism, the national dialogue outcome and relevant UN resolutions. He called on the international community to help address the "difficult" humanitarian situation in Yemen, praising Saudi Arabia's establishment of a humanitarian center to help the Yemeni people. "We realize the important role of the EU which, in coordination with the GCC countries, will bring about success of the Restoration of Hope towards stability and security in Yemen," he said. The EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said the EU was ready to deepen trade and economic relations with the six GCC States. The EU looks forward for further political partnership with the GCC, specially amidst critical regional challenges, she added.