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The United States and the Gulf
Cooperation Council (GCC) have issued a joint statement outlining their shared
priorities and areas of agreement, despite their occasional divergent views.
The statement was released following
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's participation in a GCC meeting during
his visit to Saudi Arabia.
The US emphasized its enduring
commitment to the Gulf region, even as it shifts its foreign-policy focus
towards competition with China in an evolving global landscape.
Two-State Solution for
Israeli-Palestinian Conflict:
The joint statement supports a
two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, based on the 1967
borders with mutually agreed swaps and consistent with internationally
recognized parameters and the Arab Peace Initiative.
The endorsement of the 1967 borders
is a notable departure from previous US administrations that recognized
Jerusalem as Israel's capital.
However, the statement does not
mention the recent normalization of relations between Israel and certain Arab
states.
Silence on Arab-Israeli
Normalization:
Although US Secretary of State
Blinken aimed to promote formal relations between Israel and Arab states, the
joint statement did not address Arab-Israeli normalization.
Countries such as the United Arab
Emirates, Bahrain, Morocco, and Sudan had initiated diplomatic ties with Israel
as part of the Abraham Accords brokered by the previous US administration.
Saudi Arabia, while committed to the Arab Peace Initiative, did not explicitly
endorse these normalization efforts.
Welcome to Saudi-Iranian
Rapprochement:
The joint statement unambiguously
welcomed the resumption of diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran,
emphasizing the importance of adherence to international law.
This stance marks a departure from
past US statements that showed cautious support for the Chinese-brokered deal
between the two countries.
The US continues to confront Iran's
destabilizing behavior in the region but encourages direct dialogue and
diplomacy between Iran and regional governments.
Consensus on Syria:
Despite previous differences, the US
and the GCC expressed support for a political resolution to the Syrian crisis,
preserving Syria's unity according to UN Security Council Resolution 2254,
which calls for free elections.
The statement also reiterated support
for the US military presence in Syria to prevent the resurgence of ISIS, while
condemning actions that threaten the safety and security of these forces.
Additionally, the joint statement
emphasized the need for a nationwide ceasefire and the safe return of refugees
to Syria.
Vague Stance on Ukraine:
The joint statement emphasized the
importance of respecting territorial integrity and international law without
explicitly condemning the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Gulf states have maintained a
neutral approach to the conflict, while the US has sought to unify its allies
against Moscow.
The statement focused on the
humanitarian aspects of the crisis, calling for efforts to achieve a peaceful
solution, address the humanitarian crisis, support refugees and displaced
persons, and ensure food security in affected countries.
Laslty:
The joint statement between the
United States and the Gulf Cooperation Council reflects shared priorities and
common ground on various regional issues.
The US-GCC relationship remains
resilient, with both sides emphasizing their commitment to addressing
challenges and finding diplomatic solutions.
While certain topics were not
explicitly addressed, the statement signifies ongoing cooperation and dialogue
between the two entities.
(Courtesy: Al-Jazeera)
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