GCC is core to Washington's vision

On June 7, as part of his visit to Saudi Arabia, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken attended a meeting with diplomats from countries in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

US Secretary of State Blinken attends a meeting with his GCC counterparts in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on June 7. (Source: Reuters)

At the ministerial conference discussing the strategic partnership between the US and the GCC, the US chief diplomat affirmed that Washington's presence in the Gulf region shows its special interest and desire to invest deeply in activities to promote cooperation with all countries in the region.

According to Mr. Blinken, the GCC is “core in the US vision” of “a more stable, safer, more prosperous Middle East region.”

The conference's agenda includes discussions on key regional issues such as the conflicts in Yemen, Sudan, Syria and the Palestinian territories.

According to Secretary of State Blinken, the US and GCC countries are working together to reach a solution to the Yemeni civil war, and are determined to seek a political solution in Syria to "maintain unity and sovereignty, as well as meet the aspirations of the people" of this country.

Earlier in the day, Secretary of State Blinken held talks with his Saudi counterpart, Prince Faisal.

The US State Department said the two sides were “determined to continue cooperation against terrorism, support efforts to bring lasting peace in Yemen, and promote stability, security, de-escalation, and integration in the region.” Washington and Riyadh also pledged to continue close cooperation to “end the hostilities in Sudan.”

After arriving in Jeddah on June 6 to begin a three-day visit to Saudi Arabia, Secretary of State Blinken also met with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

During the meeting, which lasted about 100 minutes, the two leaders discussed topics including Saudi Arabia's support for the evacuation of US citizens and diplomats from Sudan and the need for political dialogue in Yemen.

Secretary Blinken and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman also discussed common priorities of the two countries, including counterterrorism through the Global Coalition to Defeat the Islamic State (IS), a peaceful solution in Yemen, and increased bilateral cooperation in the economic and scientific fields.

Mr. Blinken's visit takes place in the context of Saudi Arabia's tendency to promote relations with Washington's rivals in the region.

Saudi Arabia and Iran have signed a surprise deal to normalize relations brokered by China, while the Arab League (AL) has also restored Syria's full membership in the bloc.

Meanwhile, President Joe Biden's administration remains at odds with Saudi Arabia over the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Riyadh's consulate in Istanbul, Türkiye, in 2018.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/no-luc-to-long-voi-vung-vinh-my-khang-dinh-gcc-la-cot-loi-trong-tam-nhin-cua-washington-230158.html