MOSCOW, Sept 11: Kuwait’s Foreign Minister and Chairman of the current session of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Ministerial Council, Abdullah Al-Yahya, reaffirmed the GCC’s full solidarity with Qatar and expressed unwavering support for the measures it has taken to safeguard its security and protect its people.

Speaking at the opening of the eighth joint ministerial meeting of the Strategic Dialogue between the GCC and the Russian Federation in Sochi on Thursday, Al-Yahya emphasized that an attack on any GCC state is considered an attack on all member states. He condemned what he described as the "sinful aggression" carried out by Israeli occupation forces against Qatar, calling it a dangerous escalation at a time when the region was striving for peace and stability.

Al-Yahya said the meeting reflected the strong belief in the importance of the GCC-Russia strategic partnership, describing it as a cornerstone for a more secure and prosperous future for the region. He noted that the strategic dialogue, launched in 2011, laid the foundation for institutionalized cooperation across political, economic, and security domains, and that it had matured into a symbol of mutual trust and growing collaboration.

The foreign minister highlighted the 2023–2028 joint action plan as a practical embodiment of collective will, outlining multiple avenues for cooperation. He stated that what unites both sides goes beyond shared interests — it is a shared conviction that peace stems from cooperation, conflict should be resolved through dialogue, and development is driven by partnership.

Al-Yahya reiterated the central importance of the Palestinian cause, calling it the key to lasting regional stability. He stressed that a just peace cannot be achieved without ending the Israeli occupation and establishing an independent Palestinian state along the June 4, 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, in line with the Arab Peace Initiative and relevant UN resolutions.

He welcomed Russia’s position in supporting a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and its backing of a political process to restore hope to the Palestinian people. Al-Yahya strongly condemned Israeli policies of starvation, repression, and forced displacement in Gaza, denouncing them as flagrant violations of international law and humanitarian principles. He called for the immediate lifting of restrictions on the entry of humanitarian and relief aid to the Strip, which faces an "unprecedented humanitarian disaster."

Al-Yahya also praised the outcomes of the recent Alaska Summit between the Presidents of Russia and the United States, calling it a positive step toward resolving the Russia-Ukraine conflict through diplomatic means. He reaffirmed the GCC's commitment to constructive dialogue as a pathway to ending global conflicts, alleviating humanitarian suffering, and promoting regional and international stability.

Turning to Kuwait-Iraq relations, the minister acknowledged Russia’s efforts in urging Iraq to resolve all outstanding issues with Kuwait in line with international law and UN resolutions. These include the return of Kuwaiti prisoners and property, and the demarcation of maritime borders beyond border marker 162.

Al-Yahya emphasized the importance of Iraq’s full implementation of the Khor Abdullah maritime navigation agreement, signed on April 29, 2012, and stressed Iraq’s obligation to respect Kuwait’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. He stated that adherence to international agreements would strengthen bilateral ties, promote good neighborliness, and bolster regional stability.

Looking ahead, Al-Yahya expressed optimism for the upcoming Arab-Russian Summit, scheduled for October 15, saying he hoped it would yield constructive outcomes and further deepen cooperation across all fields of mutual interest.

Al-Yahya thanked Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov for his hospitality and expressed confidence that the Sochi meeting would further solidify the sustainable strategic partnership between the GCC and the Russian Federation.