Kuwait: Respect for the sovereignty of GCC states and their territorial integrity, and safeguarding freedom and safety of maritime navigation and safe passage in international straits
Our Ambassador to the Republic of Indonesia and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Khaled Al-Yassin, emphasized the gravity of Iran’s despicable attacks on Kuwait and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, which targeted vital civilian infrastructure. These attacks contradict the principles of international law and the UN Charter, including Security Council Resolution 2817.
This statement was made in a press release issued by the Kuwaiti Embassy, quoting Ambassador Al-Yassin’s remarks during the third meeting between the GCC ambassadors to ASEAN and the Committee of Permanent Representatives to ASEAN, held the day before yesterday at the ASEAN Secretariat headquarters in Jakarta, the Indonesian capital.
The meeting was co-chaired by Bahrain’s Ambassador to Indonesia, Ahmed Al-Hajjar, and Singapore’s Ambassador to ASEAN, Gerard Ho.
The statement noted that Ambassador Al-Yassin called for the importance of respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the GCC states, as well as safeguarding freedom of navigation and safe passage in international waterways, thereby preserving global trade and the international economy.
For his part, the Singaporean Ambassador expressed his country’s solidarity and sympathy with the GCC states, affirming that Singapore calls for an end to hostilities, respect for international law, and the peaceful resolution of disputes.
The meeting, in a joint statement, underscored both sides’ commitment to strengthening the partnership between the GCC and ASEAN, highlighting the complementary nature of this partnership in priority sectors that serve the common interests of both parties.
The statement emphasized the importance of enhancing the partnership between the two sides and expanding cooperation in economic, security, and technical fields. It noted that the meeting reviewed progress made in implementing the ASEAN-GCC Cooperation Framework for the period 2024–2028.
It added that the meeting discussed preparations for the upcoming meeting of the Foreign Ministers of ASEAN and the GCC, scheduled to take place on the sidelines of the High-Level Week of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly in September, as well as preparations for the third ASEAN-GCC Summit, scheduled for 2027.
The statement clarified that both sides welcomed progress in cooperation between the ASEAN National Police Chiefs Council (ASEANAPOL) and the GCC Police, including mutual participation in major events and the completion of a joint action plan.
In this context, both sides affirmed the importance of enhancing coordination in combating terrorism, transnational crime, and cybersecurity, thereby supporting security cooperation between GCC and ASEAN countries.
ASEAN called on the GCC to support the implementation of ASEAN’s vision for the Indian Ocean-Pacific region and the “ASEAN 2045: Our Shared Future” plan, alongside ASEAN’s Strategic Connectivity Plan, the Smart Cities Network, sustainable development initiatives, and the Fifth Action Plan for ASEAN Integration.
The meeting also stressed the importance of strengthening partnerships between the public and private sectors and business institutions, and expanding exchanges between the peoples of both sides through youth and student exchange programs, media, artists, and scholarships, contributing to tangible benefits for the peoples of the GCC and ASEAN countries.
