New york: Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi affirmed that the Ministerial Meeting for the Strategic Dialogue between the GCC and the United Kingdom underscores the insistence on strengthening cooperation and developing this renewed partnership to reflect the ambitions and meet the requirements of the current phase with concrete initiatives and practical projects, as well as to translate the political will into tangible achievements, which will contribute to consolidating the strategic partnership between the two sides. These remarks were made yesterday during the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
According to Saudi Press Agency, during the meeting, Albudaiwi expressed appreciation and gratitude to the UK for its decision to recognize the State of Palestine, describing it as a historic and courageous decision that reflects a firm commitment to justice and international legitimacy, and gives the Palestinian people a glimmer of hope in their journey towards freedom and independence. He stated that this step represents a clear message that the establishment of an independent Palestinian state is the only way to achieve a just, comprehensive, and lasting peace in the region.
Additionally, the secretary-general stated that the strategic partnership between the GCC and the UK was founded on solid historical foundations, aiming to establish the pillars of security, stability, and prosperity at both regional and international levels. Highlighting key economic figures between both sides, he added: "On the economic front, the UK's investments in the GCC countries exceeded $200 billion, while the council states' investments in the UK amounted to more than $60 billion in 2022. The volume of trade exchange between the two sides reached about $32 billion in 2023."
He indicated that these indicators confirm that the opportunity is ripe to finalize the free trade agreement between the two sides, which will benefit both economies and open broader horizons for cooperation in multiple fields. He stated that these negotiations have been prolonged and that signing the agreement has become the only way through which we can affirm the genuine common desire to move forward in this relationship.
"We value and appreciate the message sent by the prime minister of the UK to the leaders of the GCC countries, in which he affirmed the British side's aspiration to finalize the free trade agreement negotiations between the two sides," Albudaiwi highlighted.
He expressed pride in the high status that these historic strategic relations have reached on many levels, including academic and scientific. He noted that for some time, we have witnessed an increase in the number of male and female Gulf students studying in various universities across the UK, as well as an increase in the number of Gulf tourists, in light of the excellent visa facilitation provided by the British side for Gulf citizens.