Bahrain attends GCC-Canada meet

Jeddah : Foreign Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa took part in the 2nd ministerial meeting of GCC- Canada Strategic Dialogue held yesterday in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The meeting came in the framework of joint keenness on developing relations and strengthening coordination regarding all issues towards bolstering joint interests. 

Foreign Ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member States and Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs Stephane Maurice Dion attended the meet. 

GCC Secretary General Dr. Abdullatif Al-Zayani stated that the meeting focused on efforts to ramp up bilateral relations, and the latest regional and international developments. Al-Zayani added that the Ministers had approved a plan of action for political, security, trade, investment, energy, education, and health cooperation for the years 2016-20. “Moreover, a memorandum of understanding for exchanging viewpoints on political issues has been hammered out today.” 

Gulf Arab Foreign Ministers agreed with their Canadian counterpart to strengthen “cooperation” in the fight against the Islamic State group and other jihadist organisations, they said in a statement. They agreed to “strengthen joint cooperation... to eradicate terrorism”, including by “doubling efforts to stop the flow of foreign terrorist fighters” to Syria and Iraq. The Ministers also reaffirmed their “rejection of Iran’s support for terrorism and its actions that undermine stability in the region, including acts by Hezbollah.”

The Ministers also vowed to work together “to confront (Iran’s) interferences in the region.”

Meanwhile, the Canadian Foreign Minister said that there was great opportunities for economic cooperation between Canada and the GCC member States.