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The President meets with Dr Nayef Falah Al-Hajraf, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council

PRESS RELEASE BY THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT


President Vella discussed the latest situation in the Gulf region with Dr Nayef Falah Al-Hajraf, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) at Sant’Anton Palace.

The President recalled how relations between Malta and the GCC are presently taking shape in the framework of a Memorandum of Understanding that also includes an action plan that was signed in January 2017. He stressed the importance that Malta attaches to relations with partners in the region as well as the council itself, and added that the implementation of the provisions contained in the action plan will go a long way in this direction.

President Vella observed that Malta has always urged the strengthening of relations between the European Union and the GCC. Malta would welcome the expansion of relations through increased people-to-people contact in the economic, educational and cultural fields.

The Secretary General described Malta as a long-standing and trusted partner of the council, adding that it is considered to be the members’ gateway to Europe. The Secretary General gave an overview of the present state of relations between the members of the council, stating that these have now been consolidated on a number of fronts. He also elaborated on the GCC’s position regarding developments in Libya, Afghanistan and Yemen, as well as relations with Iran.

President Vella is expected to visit the Gulf region during the course of the coming year.

Minister for Foreign and European Affairs Evarist Bartolo accompanied President Vella during this meeting.

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