43rd GCC Summit Final Communique Praises Qatar's World Cup Hosting Success

Riyadh, December 09 (QNA) - The Supreme Council of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf praised the State of Qatar's success in hosting the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and the positive impact it has on the human legacy and its civilizational, cultural, and intellectual rapprochement among world peoples; in addition to denouncing the malicious media campaigns against the State of Qatar. This came in the final communique issued by the Supreme Council of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf in its 43rd session, in which Their Majesties, Highnesses, and Excellencies leaders and heads of delegates of the GCC countries; at the King Abdul Aziz International Conference Center in Riyadh, Kingdome of Saudi Arabia. The council also expressed its welcome and support for the State of Qatar to hold the second part of the Fifth UN Conference on the Least Developed Countries (LDC5) on March 5 - 9, 2023, at the level of heads of state and government. The Supreme Council expressed its welcome of the State of Qatar's presidency to its 44th session. The Supreme Council thanked HRH Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud for his presidency of the Supreme Council's meeting at its 43rd session, expressing its appreciation for the keenness and interest included in his opening speech to activate the process of cooperation between the GCC countries. The Supreme Council also expressed its sincere appreciation and gratitude for the great, honest, and profound efforts exerted by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and his esteemed government, during the Kingdome of Saudi Arabia's presidency of the 43rd session, and the accomplished steps and achievements. The Council congratulated HM the Sultan of Oman Theyazin bin Haitham Al Said, for the Sultanate of Oman's assumption of the presidency of the 43rd session, wishing Oman success in strengthening the GCC march in all fields. The Supreme Council commended the outcomes of the Gulf-American Summit, held in Jeddah on July 16, 2022, within the strategic partnership between the GCC Council and the US. The Supreme Council also commended the outcomes of the Jeddah Security and Development Summit between the GCC countries, Jordan, Iraq, Egypt, and the US, and valued its contribution to enhancing the security and stability in the region and achieving prosperity for its people. The Supreme Council also welcomed the convening of the Riyadh Gulf-China Summit for Cooperation and Development and the Riyadh Arab-China Summit for Cooperation and Development on Dec. 9, 2022, looking forward to their contribution to strengthening cooperation and strategic partnerships with the Chinese side to achieve common interests. The Supreme Council stressed its support for the 'OPEC+ decisions aimed at achieving balance in oil markets, promoting the prosperity and welfare of the world's and region's peoples, and supporting the growth of the global economy. The Supreme Council affirmed its keenness on the strength and cohesion of the Cooperation Council, the unity of its member states, and achieving more coordination, integration, and interdependence in all fields, in a way that fulfills the aspirations of the citizens of the GCC countries, stressing that the Council's countries stand together in the face of any threat to any of the GCC countries. The Supreme Council reviewed the developments of the joint Gulf work, the work program of the GCC Economic and Development Affairs Authority, noting the importance of doubling the efforts to achieve economic unity among the GCC member states, completing the requirements of the GCC Customs Union, the GCC Common Market, and the GCC railway in accordance to previous decisions of the Council. The Supreme Council approved the general framework of the strategic plan for joint media cooperation for the countries of the Cooperation Council 2023-2030, the charter for the preservation of urban heritage in member countries, and the general framework of the Gulf strategy for tourism 2023-2030. The Supreme Council affirmed the adoption of the basic pillars of energy transitions (energy security, economic development, and climate change), by continuing with sustainable investments in hydrocarbon sources, adopting the circular carbon economy approach as an integrated and comprehensive approach to addressing the challenges arising from greenhouse gas emissions, and managing them using all available technologies and innovations to ensure effectiveness, coherence and alignment of the basic pillars. The Supreme Council praised the achievements and efforts made by member states in the four pillars of the circular carbon economy approach (reducing emissions, reusing them, recycling them, and removing them). The Supreme Council also affirmed the strengthening of joint action to maximize the impact of the efforts and initiatives of the GCC states in work related to energy transitions and climate change, activating cooperation, and exchanging expertise. The Supreme Council called for speeding up the ongoing free trade agreement negotiations, and for the start of new free trade negotiations in accordance with the priorities of GCC states, in order to strengthen the economic relations of the GCC with countries and international blocs in pursuit of common trade and investment interests. The Supreme Council approved the decisions of the Joint Defense Council at its 19th session, regarding military cooperation between GCC countries, and stressed the importance of strengthening joint military action to achieve collective security for GCC countries. The Supreme Council praised the success of the exercises carried out by the Unified Military Command and its affiliated units and centers during the year 2022, stressing the importance of the joint exercises in strengthening military cooperation between the GCC states. The Supreme Council expressed its appreciation for the joint initiatives undertaken by the anti-drug agencies in the GCC states, aimed at monitoring emerging criminal behavior, the use of social media and modern technology in narcotics smuggling operations in GCC states. The Supreme Council of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf renewed the commitment of its members to maintaining stability and security in the region, supporting the prosperity of their peoples, and strengthen the Council's relations with brotherly and friendly countries and regional and international organizations, based on the role of the Cooperation Council as a basic pillar for maintaining regional and global peace and security, and strengthening the role of the Council In achieving peace and sustainable development, and serving the lofty aspirations of the Arab and Islamic nations. The Supreme Council affirmed respect for the principles of sovereignty and non-interference in internal affairs, based on international charters, customs and laws, and that the security of the GCC states is an essential tributary of Arab national security, in accordance with the Charter of the League of Arab States. The Supreme Council also affirmed its firm stances against terrorism and extremism, regardless of its source. The council expressed its rejection of all forms of terrorism and extremism, as well as its justifications. It stressed that it is working to dry up its funding sources, and supporting international efforts to combat terrorism, stressing that tolerance and coexistence among nations and peoples are among the most important principles and values. The council condemned terrorist attacks in Afghanistan, the terrorist attack that took place in Turkey's Istanbul on Nov. 13 of 2022, and terrorist attacks in Somalia. On the Palestinian cause, the Supreme Council reaffirmed its firm positions on the centrality of the Palestinian cause, its support for the sovereignty of the Palestinian people over all the Palestinian territories occupied since June 1967, the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, and the guarantee of refugee rights, in accordance with the Arab Peace Initiative and the resolutions of international legitimacy. The council praised efforts to achieve a Palestinian national reconciliation and called on the international community to intervene to end the displacement of Palestinians from their homes in East Jerusalem. The council also said that it rejects all Israeli settlement policies in the West Bank. The Supreme Council also affirmed its firm positions and decisions regarding relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran, and the need for its adherence to the basic foundations and principles based on the Charter of the United Nations and the charters of international law, the principles of good neighborliness, respect for the sovereignty of states, non-interference in internal affairs, resolving disputes by peaceful means, and non-use of force. Or the threat of it, and renunciation of sectarianism. The Council also stressed the need for the negotiations of the Iranian nuclear file, and any future negotiations with Iran, to address its behavior in the region, its missile program, the safety of international navigation and oil installations, and the need for the participation of the Council states in those negotiations and all regional and international discussions and meetings related to this matter, expressing its rejection Complete the statements of some officials from the Iranian government, which included insults and accusations against Saudi Arabia and the GCC countries. The Council expressed its condemnation of Iran's continued failure to fulfill its commitments and abuses in raising uranium enrichment rates beyond the need for peaceful uses, and called on Iran to back down from this step. The Supreme Council of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf praised the outcomes of the comprehensive Yemeni-Yemeni consultations that were held under the auspices of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, during the period from March 29 to April 7, 2022, and reached an agreement between the Yemeni brothers on a road map and effective mechanisms towards strengthening unity and restoring security. stability in Yemen, and lifting the suffering of the brotherly Yemeni people. The council also stressed their full support for the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council under the leadership of Rashad Muhammad Al Alimi to enable him on his mission to achieve security and stability in Yemen. They called on the Houthi group to respond to the invitation extended by Al Alimi to start negotiations under UN supervision. The Supreme Council praised the announcement by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia of a package of vital development projects to support the Republic of Yemen, being implemented by the Saudi Program for the Development and Reconstruction of Yemen, which included 17 development projects in the sectors of energy, transportation, education, water, health, and building state institutions, with a value of $400 million, in addition to $200 million to provide oil derivatives to operate power stations, to meet the urgent needs of the brotherly Yemeni people and alleviate their suffering. The Council affirmed the importance of the special strategic partnership between the GCC and the Kingdom of Morocco, the implementation of a joint action plan, its firm positions and decisions in of Morocco's sovereignty over the Sahara, the preservation of the security, stability and territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Morocco, praising Security Council Resolution 2654 of Oct. 27, 2022, regarding the issue. On Iraq, the Council affirmed its firm positions and decisions towards brotherly Iraq, and support for existing efforts to combat terrorism and achieve security and stability in Iraq, stressing the importance of preserving the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Iraq, its Arab-Islamic identity, social fabric, national unity, and support in its confrontation with terrorist and armed militias. The Supreme Council stressed the importance of Iraq's commitment to the sovereignty of the State of Kuwait and non-violation of international resolutions and agreements, in particular Security Council Resolution No. 833 regarding the demarcation of the borders between the two countries, and the agreement regulating maritime navigation in Khor Abdullah, concluded between the two countries and deposited with the United Nations, and the Council called on the Republic of Iraq to complete Demarcation of the maritime borders with the State of Kuwait beyond mark 162, expressing his categorical rejection of any violation affecting the sovereignty of the State of Kuwait, and preserving its right to respond in accordance with legal channels. The Supreme Council affirmed its firm positions towards preserving the territorial integrity of the sisterly Syrian Arab Republic and respecting its independence and its sovereignty over its territories, as well as rejecting regional interference in its internal affairs. The council also affirmed its previous decisions regarding the Syrian crisis and the political solution based on the principles of (Geneva 1), and Security Council Resolution No. 2254. It also continues to support the efforts of the UN Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen, and expressed hopes that the meetings of the Syrian Constitutional Committee would result in a consensus that adds to the efforts made to reach a political solution to the Syrian crisis. Additionally, the GCC Supreme Council reiterated its support for the United Nations efforts to care for Syrian refugees and displaced persons, working for their safe return to their cities and villages and rejecting any attempts to bring about demographic changes in Syria. The Council stressed the GCC's firm positions towards the brotherly Lebanese people, stressing its continuous support for Lebanon's sovereignty, security and stability, and for the Lebanese Armed Forces, who protect its borders and resist the threats of extremist and terrorist groups. The Supreme Council also emphasized the importance of implementing comprehensive structural political and economic reforms to ensure that Lebanon overcomes its political and economic crisis. The GCC Supreme Council called on all Lebanese parties to respect the constitution and constitutional deadlines, and to do everything that would meet the aspirations of the brotherly Lebanese people for stability, progress and prosperity, praising the efforts of Lebanon's friends and partners in restoring and strengthening trust and cooperation between Lebanon and the GCC countries, and their support for the role of the Lebanese army and the internal security forces, in preserving the security of Lebanon. On the Libyan issue, the Supreme Council expressed concern about the outbreak of repeated armed clashes in the Libyan territories. The council affirmed the GCC countries’ stance on supporting the State of Libya, the political path, and relevant UN Security Council’s resolutions in maintaining Libya’s security, stability, and sovereignty. The council called for adopting political dialogue to resolve differences. The GCC Supreme Council called for the cessation of interference in Libya’s internal affairs, the exit of all foreign forces and mercenaries from Libyan territory, support for the efforts of the United Nations to reach a political solution, the holding of elections and the unification of state institutions, to achieve the aspirations of the Libyan people. The Supreme Council also welcomed the appointment of Abdoulaye Bathily as the Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations in Libya, wishing him success in finding a political solution agreed upon by the Libyan parties. The Council welcomed the joint declaration of the Sudan Political Framework Agreement of Dec. 5, defining constitutional arrangements to guide Sudan through a transitional period. The GCC Supreme Council stressed that the water security of the Republic of Sudan and the Arab Republic of Egypt is an integral part of Arab national security, rejecting any action or procedure that would prejudice their rights in the Nile waters. The council also affirmed the GCC countries’ support for all endeavors that would contribute to resolving the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam file in a manner that takes into account the interests of all parties. Regarding the Somali issue, the council affirmed the support of the Federal Republic of Somalia in order to consolidate the foundations of security and stability, as well as strengthening the Somali national capabilities in combating terrorism, and its response to challenges it faces currently, especially as a result of the drought crisis affecting Somalia. With regard to the Afghan crisis, the Supreme Council stressed the importance of restoring security and stability in the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and reaching a consensual political solution that takes into account the interests of all components of the Afghan people. The council also called on the de facto authority to implement its commitments to guarantee women's right to education and work, protect minorities, and ensure that Afghan lands are not used by any terrorist groups, nor to export drugs. On the Russian-Ukrainian crisis, the Supreme Council stressed that the GCC position on the Russian-Ukrainian crisis is based on the principles of international law and the United Nations Charter, preserving the international system based on respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of states, non-interference in their internal affairs, as well as the abstinence from the use of force or violence, or threatening by it. The council reiterated its support for mediation efforts to resolve the crisis between Russia and Ukraine, a cease-fire, and a political solution to the crisis. The Supreme Council praised the success of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s mediation in releasing a group of prisoners and detainees from both sides, in addition to commending the humanitarian and relief assistance provided by the GCC countries to Ukraine. The council noted the importance of continuing the application of the Black Sea grain export deal by Russia and Ukraine, expressing support for all efforts to facilitate the export of grain, and all food and humanitarian materials, to contribute to providing food security for the affected countries. The Supreme Council approved the State of Kuwait’s desire to retain the position of Secretary-General of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf for a second term, starting from the end of the current term of HE the Secretary-General Dr. Nayef Falah Mubarak Al Hajraf on Jan. 31, 2023, provided that the Ministerial Council follows up on the nomination of the State of Kuwait for its new candidate to fill the position. (QNA)