SAUDI ARABIA: Gulf states Foreign Ministers hold a regular meeting to discuss regional issues including Iran's relationship with all Gulf countries

Record ID: 189499

  • Title: SAUDI ARABIA: Gulf states Foreign Ministers hold a regular meeting to discuss regional issues including Iran's relationship with all Gulf countries
  • Date: 2nd June 2014
  • Summary: RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA (JUNE 2, 2014) (REUTERS) MEETING LOGO OF GCC COUNTRIES (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) KUWAITI PRIME MINISTER AND FOREIGN MINISTER, SHEIKH SABAH KHALED AL-SABAH, SAYING: "The GCC countries are looking to translate the Iranian intentions into a positive reality in its relations with the GCC countries, seeking to remove the causes of tension between the countries of the region, strengthening the security and stability of this vital region of the world." VARIOUS OF MEETING
  • Embargoed: 17th June 2014 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Saudi Arabia
  • Country: Saudi Arabia
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVA35M70BU48HJE2ISINK8VQB64Y
  • Story Text: Gulf Arab foreign ministers on Monday (June 2) called for Iran to "strengthen the security and stability" of the Gulf region by entering into positive action shortly after Kuwait's top diplomat returned from top-level talks in Tehran.
    The six countries that make up the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Oman, are wary of Iran's political ambitions in the Gulf.

    "The GCC countries are looking to translate the Iranian intentions into a positive reality in its relations with the GCC countries, seeking to remove the causes of tension between the countries of the region, strengthening the security and stability of this vital region of the world," said Kuwait's Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah al-Khaled al-Sabah at the start of the GCC meeting in Riyadh.
    Since taking office last year, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif have made frequent statements about their desire to improve ties with Gulf neighbours.
    But while they have had top level meetings with officials from Kuwait, the UAE and Oman, they have not yet met leaders from Saudi Arabia, the biggest GCC country.
    Saudi Arabia and Iran are locked in a battle for influence across the Middle East that contributes to political struggles from Syria to Yemen.
    Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal, who did not attend Monday's meeting, said last month he had invited Zarif to the kingdom to negotiate.
    But on Sunday, Zarif said the invitation had been to a meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation in Jeddah later this month, that he would not be able to attend because it clashed with the next round of Iran's nuclear discussions.
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