(From left): Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Abdullah Ali al-Yahya, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani and Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jassim Mohammed al-Budaiwi at a press conference in Damascus, December 30, 2024. (Photo: EPA/VNA)

According to a VNA correspondent in the Middle East and North Africa, Foreign Ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and Central Asian countries met in Kuwait to discuss a joint action plan to promote cooperation in the fields of politics, economics, culture and tourism.

The conference also discussed preparations for the second GCC Summit with Central Asian countries (including Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan) in Samarkand (Uzbekistan) next month.

Speaking at the conference, Kuwaiti Foreign Minister and Chairman of the GCC Council of Ministers, Abdullah Al-Yahya, said the meeting marked an important milestone in establishing a sustainable partnership between the two regions, based on mutual respect and common interests.

According to Mr. Al-Yahya, the two sides need to consult and coordinate in addressing common challenges, especially in the fight against terrorism, extremism and cyber threats.

He highlighted the role of the GCC Secretariat in promoting joint action mechanisms between the two regions, and reaffirmed the GCC's steadfast support for the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, including the establishment of an independent state based on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.

In a joint press conference with GCC Secretary General Jassem Al-Budaiwi after the summit, Mr. Al-Yahya emphasized the growing historical, cultural and humanitarian ties between the two sides, while highlighting the common political will to strengthen strategic cooperation.

For his part, the GCC Secretary General affirmed that both the organization and the Central Asian countries are committed to promoting cooperation in various fields as stated in the Joint Action Plan for the period 2023-2027.

According to Secretary General Al-Budaiwi, the GCC and Central Asian foreign ministers' conference exchanged views on regional and global developments, especially the Middle East peace process.

The foreign ministers called on the international community to take decisive action to support Palestinian rights, including the establishment of a sovereign state.

According to Kuwait's KUNA news agency, at the recent conference, the parties focused on discussing a number of key priority areas, including enhancing economic and trade cooperation, encouraging investment and development in transport, energy, clean energy transition, promoting green economy and modern technology.

In addition, discussions also focused on food and water security, digital infrastructure, and artificial intelligence (AI) to support stability and sustainable development.

In 2023, the GCC and Central Asian countries held their first Summit in Saudi Arabia./.

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/doi-thoai-chien-luoc-gcc-trung-a-thuc-day-hop-tac-tren-nhieu-linh-vuc-post1033269.vnp