Bahraini Foreign Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa The Foreign Affairs Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa hinted at the possibility that the Gulf Union may be formed by less than the original six member countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). The Minister stressed that the Gulf Cooperation Council is here to stay and continue to thrive and develop. The Minister ruled out anything that threatens the existence of the Gulf Cooperation Council.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs said that the diversity of views on the issue of moving from the phase of cooperation to unity should not be construed as a dispute among the GCC countries.
Shaikh Khalid said that the Omani Foreign Minister Yusuf bin Alawi's statements during the "Manama Dialogue2013" came in reaction to another talk which was not raised during the GCC Summit in Kuwait.
Shaikh Khalid said that the Sultanate of Oman did not voice any specific preservations during the 34th GCC Summit in Kuwait against the Gulf Union, pointing out that the Sultanate of Oman was one of the leading GCC-member countries who proposed unity and integration between the Gulf countries, especially in the military fields.
Shaikh Khalid described the Sultanate of Oman as an important and leading member of the GCC countries and stressed that the Gulf Union won't affect the sovereignty of any country in any way whatsoever. Minister Shaikh Khalid wondered why fears are frequently expressed regarding launching the Gulf Union despite the Gulf peoples aspire to removal of all barriers and upgrading the GCC organisation which has all the components of integration.
The Foreign Minister dismissed that the notion that the Gulf Union was conceived in order solely to protect Bahrain in the aftermath of the 2011 crisis. He said that in the past ten years the GCC countries proposals had an integrative outlook as the peoples' demands were inclined to unity.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs described as good to all countries of the region any agreement between the Group of 5+1 and Iran regarding Iran's nuclear dossier. He said the problem with Iran is not confined to its nuclear programme but also includes Iran's meddling in the internal affairs of Gulf countries and supporting terrorist organizations in the region.
The Minister said that Bahrain rejects any military action on Iran. The last thing for any Gulf citizen to think about is to back an attack on Iran because this does not please ourselves and it is against our very interests, the Minister stressed.
This came during the Minister's visit to Al-Ayam Media Centre during which he met with the Al-Ayam Board of Directors Chairman Najib Yagoub Al Hammer, Editor-in-Chief Isa Al-Shaiji and Editing Staff members.
Source: BNA