Tashkent, Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), affirmed that the second ministerial meeting of the strategic dialogue between the Cooperation Council countries and the countries of Central Asia aimed at strengthening the foundation of joint action for the strategic dialogue and develop mechanisms for consultation and cooperation between the two sides.

This came during the Secretary General’s speech at the second ministerial meeting of the strategic dialogue between the GCC countries and the countries of Central Asia, held in the Uzbek capital of Tashkent, and headed by Shaikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar and President of the current session of the Ministerial Council, and Bakhtiyor Saidov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan.

Present at the meeting were Their Highnesses and Excellencies the Foreign Ministers of the Cooperation Council and the Central Asian countries.

Albudaiwi extend
ed his appreciation to the leadership, government and people of Uzbekistan for their generous hospitality and warm reception.

He noted the importance of this meeting, as he said that it is the first of its kind, following the historic summit hosted by Saudi Arabia in Jeddah City in July 2023, which brought together the leaders of the Cooperation Council countries and the leaders of the Central Asian countries to establish the frameworks for future cooperation between both sides.

Additionally, this meeting comes in preparation for the second summit between the GCC countries and the Central Asian countries scheduled to be held in Samarkand next year.

The Secretary General further said that the unprecedented developments and state of uncertainty in many political, economic, security, and even social matters and issues that the international community is facing, required the intensifying of communication and coordination to resolve these issues and confront any negative repercussions that may emerge that could
affect all parties.

He mentioned that the GCC General Secretariat hosted the first ministerial meeting of the strategic dialogue between the Cooperation Council and the countries of Central Asia in September 2022, with the participation of Their Highnesses and Excellencies the Foreign Ministers of the member states and the countries of Central Asia.

Albudaiwi added that the meeting issued a joint statement confirming the commitment of the parties participating in it to establish a strong and ambitious partnership based on common values, interests, and historical ties.

It also mentioned the exchange of views between the two sides on regional and international issues, emphasising the importance of coordinating their positions and addressing common priorities.

A joint cooperation action plan for the period 2023-2027 was approved, which would strengthen cooperation in various fields, such as political and security dialogue, economic, trade, and investment cooperation, as well as cooperation in the fields of e
ducation, health, culture, media, youth, and sports.

During his speech, the secretary general recalled the meetings held by the General Secretariat in implementation of the outcomes of the first strategic dialogue of the GCC and the countries of Central Asia. This included the first meeting of those concerned in the field of economy, trade, and investment, as well as the first meeting of those concerned in the field of culture and media, in addition to the first meeting of those concerned in the health field, besides the first meeting of those concerned in the field of youth and sports between the GCC countries and the countries of Central Asia.

He also pointed out the necessity of consultation on political, regional and international issues, as well as on matters related to trade, investment, culture, education, scientific and technical research, environment and health, to find common visions on these issues.

Albudaiwi highlighted the direction of the GCC partnership with the countries of Central Asia, wh
ich is built on the following foundations and rules: ensuring joint success, establishing effective partnerships, enhancing exchange and communication between peoples, opening markets and elevating economic activities, working to save energy and its flow, and striving towards strengthening the digital economy.

Source: Bahrain News Agency