Foreign Minister stresses regional challenges

Foreign Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa stressed the role of the Gulf Cooperation Council States, the Arab Republic of Egypt, and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan in ensuring the stability and the security of the region through the efforts they exert in facing the challenges and their endeavors to provide solutions for issues. 

Addressing the 15th Manama Dialogue, he said that crucial strategic value of the region at various political, security and economic levels necessitates the responsible countries in the world to cooperate with the region’s countries in maintaining regional peace and security.

He also pointed out that this cooperation and collective action is a prerequisite for the success of any coalition or regional grouping.

He affirmed that Iran remains a major threat targeting the region’s security and stability by continuing its support to terrorism and terrorist militias, such as Hezbollah and others, as well as its expansionist policies, its violation of international law and its attack on an oil refinery installation in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the commercial ships in the Sea of Oman.

He added, that in addition to that, Iran also threatened maritime safety and security, and trying to undermine the efforts exerted by our countries for the benefit of the region and the region’s countries. 

 The minister called upon the international community to exert further efforts to deter Iran and stop its interference in the internal affairs of the region’s countries and to respect their sovereignty and independence, noting that the GCC have never and will never interfere in Iran’s internal affairs. 

He called for an international stance towards Israel and its actions that violate international laws and resolutions, including its settlements and its occupation of the Golan heights.

He also stressed that achieving a just and comprehensive peace is of benefit to the entire region. He added that such peace is only attainable by finding a solution for the Palestinian issue and ensuring the Palestinian people’s rights, and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the borders of June 4, 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital, based on a two-state solution and in accordance with the Arab Peace Initiative and relevant international resolutions.