The Opening Statement of HRH Prince Saud Al-Faisal, the Foreign Minister
The Joint Press Conference with Her Excellency US Secretary of State
The First Meeting of the GCC-US Strategic Forum
Riyadh
In the Name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful…..
I welcome again Her Excellency the US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton as well as the accompanying delegation. I also welcome the Media.
Based on the decision of the higher council of the Gulf Cooperation Council stating to support the relations between the council and the United States of America, we have concluded the first ministerial meeting of the Strategic Cooperation Forum.
Our meeting was productive and fruitful. We discussed the existing strong relations based on mutual respect as well as support of our joint interests in security, cultural, economic and political fields, in addition to the official and unofficial levels.
Our region's crises and challenges were our talks focus. In our view, we think that the fragile security situations are the main cause of the unresolved Palestinian issue as well as the continuing Israeli aggression on the Palestinian people. The meeting also discussed many latest developments namely, the human massacre against the Syrian people, the situation in Yemen. We also talked about the political situations in the Gulf area, the Middle East and North Africa and their repercussions on the stability and security of the region and the whole world.
Undoubtedly, the existing risks and challenges facing our region constitute the threat to its security and stability. This being the case, the importance of this strategic cooperation forum appears, especially in the issue of the regional security in the Gulf area and the Middle East. Being strategically very important, it enjoys the interests of the regional and international powers. This comes in light of the ongoing tensions making sometimes those interests unified or divided. Topping those challenges are the Palestine-Israeli conflict, terrorism and ongoing Iranian flagrant interference in the in the internal affairs of the region's countries as well as its suspicious nuclear program.
In terms of dealing with the region's security and stability, the GCC countries have been keen on protecting their security and internal stability as it is considered a part and parcel of the region's security. This being the case, they adopted the policy of serious reforms and sustainable development to better serve their societies and peoples, as well as to establish positive and productive relations with the countries of region and the world. Those relations are based on mutual respect regarding sovereignty and independence, joint interests, dialogue for resolving crises with all parties regionally and internationally.
Accordingly, we hope that the region's courtiers and peoples' ambitions and aspirations to be achieved for a prosperous future, maintain their safety within their the framework independence and sovereignty on the unity of their soil without any foreign interference.
I would like to value the response of the Yemeni People pertaining to the peaceful power transition. We urge them to continue their efforts with the same spirit to achieve Yemen's security and stability to support the international efforts contributing to its development. Here I would like to announce that Riyadh will host Yemen friends' meeting at the end of April.
As for terrorism, we have taken major steps in combating it. We are required to continue exerting those efforts to protect our societies.
Regarding the Syrian file, we are all in agreement that there must be an immediate stoppage of the killing. This must be accomplished in accordance with the Arab League plan and within the frame work of the international legitimacy. We have taken into account that the atrocities committed by the Syrian regime have reached unacceptable levels which can be dubbed crimes against humanity. The international community should not turn a blind eye with any justification
Now I welcome the Secretary and give her the speech.