GCC, Switzerland Seek Deeper Strategic Cooperation at Inaugural Ministerial Meeting
Jasem Mohamed Al Budaiwi, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), participated in the inaugural GCC-Switzerland Joint Ministerial Meeting on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.
The meeting was co-chaired by Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chairman of the current session of the GCC Ministerial Council, and Ignazio Cassis, Federal Councillor and Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs of Switzerland.
Al Budaiwi described the meeting as an important step towards strengthening political dialogue and consultation between the GCC and Switzerland. He highlighted the memorandum of understanding signed in January to establish a Strategic Dialogue between the two sides.
He said the GCC General Secretariat has also prepared a Joint Action Plan covering political, cultural, developmental and humanitarian cooperation, with formal adoption procedures expected to be completed in the near future.
The meeting also addressed regional and global developments. Al Budaiwi discussed ballistic missile and drone attacks launched by Iran and its proxies against GCC member states since February 28, saying they targeted critical infrastructure and caused casualties and material damage.
He stressed that GCC states were not party to the conflict and had continued efforts aimed at mediation and de-escalation.
Al Budaiwi also highlighted the wider impact of disruptions to maritime transit and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, including effects on energy prices, supply chains and governments and businesses.
On the Palestinian issue, he reaffirmed the GCC's support for establishing an independent Palestinian state along the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, in line with the Arab Peace Initiative and relevant international resolutions.
He also expressed hope that Switzerland would formally recognise the State of Palestine.
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