(MENAFN- Emirates News Agency (WAM)) The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states and France on Tuesday reiterated commitment to their strategic partnership and agreed on intensifying political consultations and cooperation in various domains including on nuclear non-proliferation, the fight against international terrorism and the protection of the sovereignty, stability and territorial integrity of states in the Middle East from foreign interference.
In a statement issued at the conclusion of the 15th GCC consultative meeting which also attended by French President Francois Hollande, both sides lauded the close views on ways of securing stability in the Middle East.
The French leader reiterated his country's commitment to a strategic partnership with the GCC countries to ensure technology transfer, young people training, enhancing mutual investments and strengthening security and defense cooperation.
The two sides agreed on cooperation for the success of the 21th session of the Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, to be held in Paris between November 30 and December 11, 2015.
They described today's meeting as a starting point for the outstanding partnership between the two sides. They stressed the need for respecting independence, territorial integrity and safety of borders and national sovereignty against foreign interference.
They noted that the meeting tackled the required measures to restore regional stability and counter the growing terrorism threats and foreign interference in domestic affairs of the regional countries.
The leaders of the GCC and France firmly condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and the acts being perpetrated by terrorist organisations such as Daesh (ISIL), al-Qaeda and their affiliates in the Middle East and around the world, to destablise states.
They expressed full determination to defeat terrorism and take all necessary steps to dry up the resources of terrorist organisations. With regard to the Iranian nuclear deal, both sides agreed to do whatever necessary to avoid nuclear proliferation in the Middle East and to encourage strong and viable agreement between the P5 +1 group and Iran.
They encouraged Iran to take brave moves to reassure the international community about the peacefulness of its nuclear program and to show a desire to have neighborliness relations with regional countries. On the Yemeni issue, the leaders voiced support to the legitimate government efforts to achieve an inclusive political agreement to restore peace and stability.
They welcomed the appointment of the Special Envoy of the Secretary General of the United Nations to Yemen Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmad and expressed support to his efforts to mediate a peaceful solution to the crisis in accordance with the GCC initiative, output of the national dialogue, and the relevant UN Security Council resolutions. On Iraq, the two sides lauded the Iraqi government's efforts to reach a national reconciliation and rid Iraq of the threat of ISIL.
On Syria, they threw their weight behind the efforts to end the suffering of the Syrian people through a process of political transition based on the statement of Geneva I. They called for providing assistance to Syrian people in the face of violence of Bashar AlAssad's regime and ISIL and to help achieve Syria people's aspirations of inclusive democracy.
On the Arab-Israeli conflict, the GCC and French leaders agreed to push for peaceful settlement through demanding the UN Security Council to set a time frame for negotiations and to urge the international community to help reach an agreement within the framework of the Arab peace initiative.
On Libya, the two sides affirmed the support of the elected parliament and urged all Libyans to shoulder their national responsibilities and continue dialogue to find a solution to end the state of division and to support the UN special envoy's efforts to reach a reconciliation agreement.
On Lebanon, they voiced support to Lebanon's sovereignty, unity and stability and appealed to the parties concerned to accelerate the election of a new president for the republic.
They also expressed keenness to contribute to the stability and development of Egypt.
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