British Member of European Parliament says determined to boost EU-GCC ties

By Nawab Khan BRUSSELS, July 24 (KUNA) -- A new and dynamic Member of the European Parliament (MEP) has underlined his determination to work for the strengthening of relations between the EU and the Gulf Cooperation Council, (GCC), and also to promote better understanding between Europe and the Muslim world.
In an interview with the Kuwait News Agency, (KUNA), Afzal Khan, 56, who belongs to the Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the EP, elaborated his future plans and objectives.
The British MEP is a member of the EP Committee on Foreign Affairs, vice chairman of the EP Subcommittee on Security and Defence, and also a member of the EP Delegation for relations with the Arab Peninsula.
Asked why he chose the Delegation with the Arab Peninsula, Afzal replied "because I think this is a very important part of the world. And myself I share the same faith (Islam) with them. For many years work has been done but actually we are not seeing any results." "I have chosen it because I think I can play a positive and constructive role. We need to see a better world. We need to have better understanding, "said Afzal who has visited the Gulf region many times.
"I like Kuwait. I like the government. I like what they are doing. So I thought I could do something to facilitate in this area," said Afzal who was born in Pakistan and migrated to the UK at the age of 11.
The EP's Delegation for the Arab Peninsula aims to develop cooperation with the six GCC states, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, plus Yemen. It will hold its first meeting on 1 October to elect the chair and the vice chairs.
Afzal worked for three years as a police officer in Manchester before going on to study law and qualifying as a solicitor. In 2005, he became Manchester's youngest, and first Asian, Lord Mayor.
On the current situation in Gaza, he said the situation in Palestine is long over due to be resolved.
"We all have a duty to play a positive and constructive role. We (the Europeans) have contributed in creating this problem as well. So there is a moral duty there to be sorted out," he said.
"Just a ceasefire in Gaza does not mean anything. In the past we have seen that there has been a period of calm and then eruption and cycle of violence restarts. It is the Palestinian who are on the losing side by the illegal Israeli settlements," he told KUNA.
"The American role has not been constructive. They are not seen as a neutral party. Therefore the EU which is closer to the region and has a neutral position compared to the US can play an effective role," he noted.
He said GCC countries as well as Turkey should be involved in resolving the Palestine question.
"They can play a very positive and constructive role not only in establishing the cease fire but also in the next future developments that is needed by the Palestinians. They can play a role not only in the region but in bringing about stability in the world. They need to be engaged," he said.
Afzal stated that the European Parliament has a vital role to promote better understanding and cooperation between Europe and the Muslim world.
"The EP has a responsibility in making sure to play the role of bridge and better understanding. As someone who has a Muslim background and someone who have been brought up in Europe so I have something to offer," he said.
"Lot of things that are happening are through ignorance. We all have to light our share of the candle to remove this ignorance that exits. The Arab world can play a major role in this because they have an amazing history of contribution to the development of the civilisation," said the British MEP.
"The western world has to understand that where they are today they have not come magically. Actually they are standing on the shoulders of the Arab and Muslim civilisation. Both sides need to take steps to move towards one another," he added. (end) nk.tg