schools to support education in Yemen and the signing of an agreement worth USD 10 million euros to expand the youth entrepreneurship support and financial inclusion project, and the State of Kuwait’s announcement to provide three additional grants worth USD 5 million through the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development, with the aim of supporting infrastructure sectors, economic recovery programmes, and improving Yemeni port facilities. The Ministerial Council also reaffirmed the importance of brotherly and friendly countries participating in providing economic, humanitarian and development support to the Republic of Yemen, to alleviate the suffering of the brotherly Yemeni people.
32.The Ministerial Council praised the achievements of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSRelief), the development projects implemented by the Saudi Development and Reconstruction Programme for Yemen, the humanitarian support provided by the Office for the Coordination of Relief and Humanitarian Aid provided by the Cooperation Council to the Republic of Yemen, and the humanitarian and development assistance provided by all the GCC member states which has exceeded (36) billion dollars. Moreover, the Ministerial Council valued the efforts of the Saudi Project for Landmine Clearance (MASAM) to clear Yemeni lands of mines, which, since its launch in June 2018, managed to remove more than (389,706) mines, ammunition and explosive devices randomly planted by the Houthi militia.
33.The Ministerial Council condemned the continued foreign interference in the internal affairs of Yemen, and the smuggling of military experts and weapons to the Houthi terrorist militia in clear violation of Security Council Resolutions 2216, 2231 and 2624, noting the announcement made by the Yemeni security services on January 23, 2023, of the seizure of a shipment of military equipment that includes (100) engines for drones that were on their way to the Houthi militia, and the British government revealed on February 13, 2023, that it had dismantled the code of a drone smuggled from Iran to the Houthi militia in Yemen, in addition to the two shipments of weapons previously seized by its ship HMS Montrose. The Council also highlighted the announcement made by the French Navy of confiscating a boat loaded with Iranian weapons and ammunition on January 15, 2023, that was on its way to the Houthi militia, carrying more than three thousand rifles, a half million bullets and 20 anti-tank missiles. Moreover, the Council indicated the US Navy's announcement which was made on January 10, 2023, uncovering that it intercepted a ship sailing in international waters from Iran to Yemen and had 2116 assault rifles on board. It also pointed out the US Fifth Fleet's announcement on January 31, 2023 of the seizure of a fishing vessel in international waters that was heading to the terrorist Houthi militia and carrying on its board a large amount of drugs, including (4,000) kilograms of hashish and 512 kilograms of methamphetamine. The Ministerial Council affirmed that these crimes are an escalation by the Houthi terrorist militia.
34.The Ministerial Council urged the United Nations to start implementing its operational plan to deal with the floating storage and offloading unit (FSO) Safer, and not to delay in order to avoid any emergency that may occur and result in oil leakage from the unit. The Ministerial Council also stressed the importance of including effective response procedures compatible with the best international practices to transfer the oil from Safer to an alternative tanker.
Iraq:
35.The Ministerial Council stressed its firm positions and decisions towards brotherly Iraq, and its support for the existing efforts to combat terrorism and achieve security and stability in the country. The Ministerial Council underscored the importance of protecting the integrity and territorial integrity of Iraq, its full sovereignty, Arab-Islamic identity, social fabric and national unity. The Ministerial Council reiterated its support for Iraq's efforts towards confronting terrorist groups and armed militias in order to preserve the state's sovereignty and ensure law enforcement.
36.The Ministerial Council condemned the repeated external aggressions and missile attacks against the Republic of Iraq, which threaten its security and stability. The Council stressed the need to respect Iraq's sovereignty and territorial integrity, underscoring the Council states stand united by brotherly Iraq.
37.The Ministerial 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 which was signed between the two countries and deposited with the United Nations. The Council called on the Republic of Iraq to complete the demarcation of the maritime borders with the State of Kuwait beyond Mark 162, expressing its categorical rejection of any violation affecting the sovereignty of the State of Kuwait and preserving its right to respond in accordance with legal channels.
38.The Ministerial Council reiterated its support for Security Council Resolution No. 2107 (2013), regarding the transfer of the file of prisoners and missing persons, Kuwaiti property and the national archive to the United Nations Mission (UNAMI), expressing its aspiration that Iraq will continue cooperation to ensure progress in all files, and calling on Iraq and the United Nations to produce maximum efforts in order to reach a solution towards these files.
Syria:
39.The Ministerial Council underlined its firm positions towards preserving the territorial integrity of the brotherly Syrian Arab Republic, respecting its independence and sovereignty over its lands, rejecting regional interference in its internal affairs, and supporting a political solution to the Syrian crisis in accordance with United Nations resolutions, including Security Council Resolution No. 2254. The Council expressed its support for the efforts of the Special Envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen in this regard, and backing for the endeavours exerted to provide care for Syrian refugees and displaced persons and work to ensure their safe return to their cities and villages, in accordance with international standards. The Council rejected any attempts to make demographic changes in Syria.
40.The Ministerial Council stressed the importance of continuing all efforts to alleviate the suffering of the brotherly Syrian people, welcoming Security Council Resolution No. 2642 which was issued on January 9, 2023, regarding extending the mandate of the mechanism for the delivery of UN humanitarian aid across the border from Turkey to Syria for a period of six months until the end of June 2023.
Lebanon:
41.The Ministerial Council stressed the GCC's firm commitment to stand with the brotherly Lebanese people and its continued support for Lebanon's sovereignty, security and stability, and for the Lebanese Armed Forces that protect its borders and resist the threats of extremist and terrorist groups. The Ministerial Council highlighted the importance of implementing comprehensive structural reforms that ensure that Lebanon overcomes its political and economic crisis and that it does not become a launching pad for terrorism, drug smuggling, or other criminal activities that threaten the security and stability of the region, stressing the importance of extending the Lebanese government’s control over all Lebanese territories, including the implementation of the provisions of the relevant Security Council resolutions and the Taif Agreement, in order for it to exercise its full sovereignty, so there will be no weapons except with the approval of the Lebanese government, and there will be no authority other than its authority, and Lebanon will not be a starting point for any actions targeting the security and stability of the region.
42.The Supreme Council called on all Lebanese parties to respect the constitutional deadlines and the Lebanese people's aspirations to elect a president for the country in accordance with the Lebanese constitution, in addition to their prospects for stability, progress and prosperity, praising the efforts of Lebanon’s friends and partners to restore confidence and enhance cooperation between Lebanon and the GCC countries, and their support for the role of the Lebanese army and internal security forces in safeguarding security.
Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD):
43.The Supreme Council underscored 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 measure that would prejudice their rights in the Nile waters. The Supreme Council also affirmed the support of the GCC countries for all endeavours that would contribute to resolving the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) issue in a manner that takes into account the interests of all parties, stressing the need to reach an agreement in this regard in accordance with the principles of international law and what was stipulated in the presidential statement of the Security Council issued on September 15, 2021.
Sudan:
44.The Ministerial Council affirmed the firm positions and decisions of the Cooperation Council regarding the importance of preserving the security, safety and stability of Sudan, protecting the cohesion of the state and its institutions, supporting Sudan in facing economic challenges, and achieving the aspirations of its brotherly people.
45.The Ministerial Council commended the international efforts of the tripartite mechanism (the United Nations Mission in Sudan, the African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development), the quartet partners (the United Arab Emirates, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the United States of America and the United Kingdom), and the Friends of Sudan Group, with the aim of reaching a consensus between the political parties in order to end the crisis and achieving security and stability in Sudan. The Ministerial Council called on the Sudanese parties to respond to these efforts, continue dialogue and achieve consensus to complete the political process, to reach a final agreement that meets the aspirations of the brotherly Sudanese people and enhances the country's security, stability and prosperity in all fields.
Libya:
46.The Supreme Council reiterated its firm positions and decisions regarding the Libyan crisis, underlining its keenness to preserve the interests of the brotherly Libyan people to achieve security, stability and development in Libya, to guarantee its sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, to stop interference in its internal affairs, and for the exit of all foreign forces and mercenaries from Libyan territory, support the efforts of the United Nations Envoy Abdoulaye Bathily to reach a political solution, hold elections and unify state institutions in order to meet the aspirations of the Libyan people and to lay the foundations for security and stability.
Afghanistan:
47.The Supreme Council emphasised 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, in a way that achieves the aspirations of the brotherly Afghan people, and benefits regional and international peace and security, and calls on the de-facto authority to implement its obligations to ensure women's right to education and work, to protect minorities, and to ensure that Afghan lands are not used by any terrorist groups, or Afghan lands are exploited for the export of narcotics.
The Crisis between Russia and Ukraine:
48.The Ministerial Council praised the mediation efforts made by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the successful visits paid by His Highness Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, to Russia and Ukraine. The Council underlined its support for the cease-fire efforts, the political solution to the crisis, giving priority to dialogue and settling the dispute through negotiations.
49.The Ministerial Council commended all efforts and calls for peace and stopping the war in Ukraine, and encouraging both sides of the conflict to engage into a diplomatic dialogue to end the war and the conflict in accordance with international law and the United Nations Charter, to restore security, peace and stability in the European continent and to maintain international peace and security.
50.The Supreme Council affirmed that the position of the Cooperation Council on the Russian-Ukrainian crisis is based on the principles of international law and the Charter of the United Nations, the preservation of the international system based on respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of states, non-interference in their internal affairs, and non-use or threat of force.
51.The Ministerial Council commended the humanitarian and relief aid provided by the GCC countries to Ukraine.
52.The Ministerial Council welcomed the extension of the grain export agreement from Russia and Ukraine across the Black Sea, and expressing support for this agreement to facilitate the export of grain, all foodstuffs and humanitarian supplies to contribute to providing food security for the affected countries.
Strategic Partnerships and Negotiations:
53.The Council stressed the importance of strengthening partnership relations, cooperation and strategic dialogue with all brotherly and friendly countries, noting the outcomes of the meetings of the joint working groups between the Cooperation Council and the United States of America, related to Iran, combating terrorism, maritime security and air defence, which were held at the headquarters of the General Secretariat on February 13-16, 2023, and the trade and investment dialogue that was held at the headquarters of the General Secretariat on March 9, 2023, within the framework of the strategic partnership between the Cooperation Council and the United States.
54.The Ministerial Council underlined the meetings held between the GCC and the European Union (EU) during the months of February and March 2023 within the framework of the strategic partnership between the two sides, and the preparation for the convening of the 27th session of the Joint GCC-EU Council of Foreign Ministers in the Sultanate of Oman.
55.The Ministerial Council was briefed on the results of the strategic dialogue meetings with India and Pakistan, which were held at the headquarters of the General Secretariat on March 20-21, 2023.
56.The Ministerial Council underscored the progress made in the free trade negotiations between the GCC and international economic groups and countries.
Issued at the General Secretariat of the GCC
On Wednesday, 30 Shaaban 1444H, corresponding to March 22, 2023.
Source: Saudi Press Agency
