LOC13:28
10:28 GMT
(WITH KUWAIT-GCC SERIES)
RIYADH, March 31 (KUNA) -- The first ministerial meeting of the GCC-US
Strategic Cooperation Forum got underway here on Saturday with participation
of Kuwait's Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister and Minister of State for
Cabinet Affairs Sheikh Sabah Al-Khalid Al-Hamad Al-Sabah.
The closed-door session began with participation of Sheikh Sabah Al-Khalid,
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and GCC Secretary General Abul-Latif
Al-Zayani.
The forum addresses a whole range of bilateral and regional issues,
political, economic, commercial and cultural subjects.
Among the topics looming high on the agenda is repercussions of the euro
crisis and international curbs on Iran. Syria is also expected to draw much
attention and consideration in the debates, as well as prospects of resuming
the Arab-Palestinian peace talks, in addition to the Iranian nuclear file.
The day-long forum is held at headquarters of the GCC Secretariat-General.
The US is a strategic ally of the GCC states, who founded the bloc in the
early 80s, in shadow of a regional war between Iran and Iraq.
The GCC, comprising Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman,
was founded to enhance cooperation and coordination among the regional states
in various domains, including the security, military and political fields.
(end)
ay.rk
KUNA 311328 Mar 12NNNN