The Gulf and the Globe Forum that opened here Sunday underscored the responsible role GCC states have to play in achieving safety and security in the region without overlooking the legitimate demands of the people. On behalf of Prince Saud Al-Faisal, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Prince Dr. Turki Bin Mohammed Bin Saud Al-Kabeer, Undersecretary of Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Multilateral Relations, opened the “Forum of the Gulf and the Globe”, organized by the ministry's Institute of Diplomatic Studies, in cooperation with the Dubai-based Gulf Research Center. Prince Turki said Saudi Arabia and other GCC states have been seeking peace and stability in the Middle East, including support for a Palestinian state, the ban of weapons of mass destruction, and building relationships on the principles of mutual respect and cooperation with neighboring countries, notably Iran. He said GCC states have no expansionist interests or orientations for intervention in the internal affairs of other countries, but they are determined to protect the security of their peoples, stability and achievements in confronting risks and threats. He quoted the Foreign Minister, Prince Saudi Al-Faisal, as saying: “I assert our permanent quest to build relationships dominated by the principles of mutual respect and cooperation with neighboring countries, notably Iran, which, unfortunately, acts in a manner indifferent to these principles. Iranian interference in the internal affairs of GCC states is still going on, while Iran continues to develop its nuclear program, ignoring the demands of the world and its legitimate concerns of its pursuit to develop such a lethal weapon, and create a serious threat to the security and stability at the regional and international levels.” He indicated that the right of Iran and other countries in the region to the peaceful use of nuclear energy must be exercised under the supervision and control of the International Atomic Energy Agency, and according to its regulations. This will help defuse the crisis and build confidence between Iran and its neighbors in the Gulf on the one hand and the international community on the other hand, he added. The undersecretary said that Prince Saud Al-Faisal reaffirmed Kingdom's support for ongoing efforts to make the Middle East free from all weapons of mass destruction, pointing out that Israel's constant refusal to join Non-Proliferation Treaty and keeping its nuclear programs outside the international control are among the key obstacles to achieve this legitimate goal. The Arab region is witnessing profound changes which have never been seen before this time, which requires that all should stand in a responsible manner for maintaining the region's countries, their territorial integrity, and civil peace, without overlooking the legitimate demands of the peoples of the region, the prince said. In view of the great importance of this region, due to its strategic location and large reserves of oil and gas, threats facing the Arab Gulf region form undoubtedly threats to world security and stability. Addressing the forum, the Director of the Institute of Diplomatic Studies, Dr. Abdulkarim Bin Homoud Al-Dakhil, said that GCC's initiative on the Yemeni crisis underlines its growing role as a regional player in achieving security and stability. The event was attended by Prince Mohammad Bin Saud Bin Khalid, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Information Technology; Dr. Ibrahim Bin Abdul Aziz Al-Assaf, Minister of Finance; Dr. Abdulaziz Bin Mohieddin Khoja, Minister of Culture and Information; Dr. Bandar Bin Mohammed Al-Eiban, President of Human Rights Commission; and a number of senior officials from other countries.
