SINGAPORE, June 1, (Agencies): Kuwaiti Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister Sheikh Dr Mohammad Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah praised Tuesday the response of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to the Israeli attack on the Freedom Flotilla that was heading to Gaza.
Al-Sabah told KUNA and Kuwait Television that the second GCC-ASEAN foreign ministers’ meeting discussed several issues including the response to the Israeli attack.
The attack on a civilian ship carrying humanitarian aid in international waters is a crime against humanity and violation to international law, he stressed.
It is also an act of piracy, he added.
During the meetings, things were named by their real names, he said, noting that those held by Israeli authorities were called “hostages” by both the ASEAN and GCC states.
Participants in the meeting demanded ending the Israeli siege imposed on Gaza immediately and the implementation of Resolution 1860 on the siege, he said.
They said Israel was fully responsible for the attack on the flotilla and demanded an investigation, he pointed out.
They agreed on a joint ASEAN-GCC release that expressed anger, called the international community and the United Nations to take responsibility and condemn the Israeli crime, and demanded an immediate release of the hostages, he noted.
Al-Sabah said that the meeting was successful on all levels, adding that meetings between the two sides will be held annually instead of every two years.
The next meeting will be held in Abu Dhabi, he said.
As response to a KUNA question, he said that signing a free trade agreement requires time, adding that the two sides agreed on cooperation in the fields of economy, investment, education, training, culture, and arts.
He pointed out that there was a proposal to establish a body to stress cultural cooperation between ASEAN and GCC states.
“The ministers strongly deplored and condemned this Israeli raid and act of violence in international waters,” the ministers said.
Israeli commandos on Monday boarded an aid ship bound for Gaza in a pre-dawn raid that left at least nine passengers dead and sparked global outrage. Hundreds of pro-Palestinian activists were also arrested.
“We are holding Israel accountable to its actions in accordance to international law,” said Kuwait’s Deputy Prime Minister.
This is a very, very strong statement which reflects the belief that both the GCC and ASEAN believe in the sanctity of international law and the need to resolve conflicts in peaceful rather than violent ways,” he told a joint news conference.
“So we are very grateful for this statement of support that we have got from ASEAN.”
In their statement, the ministers also expressed their condolences to the “victims of the raid and solidarity with the people and government of Turkey and other countries” whose nationals were among the casualties.
They urged the “immediate release” of those who are still being held by the Israeli authorities and called for the removal of the Israeli blockade of Gaza.
“The ministers agreed on the need for international cooperation to ensure that Israel is held accountable for its action in accordance with international law,” said the statement, which also urged the UN to conduct an investigation.
Al-Sabah also said that the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states were proud of their ties with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
“We in the GCC countries are proud with the good historic relations with the ASEAN, which were strengthened by a distinguished economic and commercial cooperation at the level of governments or private sector institutions which actively contributed to backing foundation of mutual economic development for the best interest of peoples and governments in the two sides,” he said.
He said bilateral collaboration between the GCC and ASEAN should focus on energy, manpower, finance, and banking services.
Sheikh Mohammad pointed out that the rapid developments around the world required strengthening of peace, security, and sustainable development, particularly with the world heading to the formation of alliances and blocs, as well as mutual interest.
Sheikh Mohammad called for considering the launch of negotiations to establish a free trade zone between the six-state GCC and 10-member ASEAN.
The two organizations should “work together to remove all hurdles that might derail the achievement of objectives,” he said.
ASEAN consists of Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.
The GCC groups Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, the UAE, and Oman.