Stronger GCC-Asean ties needed for safe, stable region
SEPANG: Greater cooperation between the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and Asean is needed to improve security and to keep the region safe and stable, says Dr Abdel Aziz Abu Hamad Aluwaisheg.
The GCC assistant secretary-general for political and negotiation affairs said security is one of the main goals behind the council's establishment, apart from being a political grouping and economic bloc.
'Security for us is very important. We live, unfortunately, in a very dangerous neighbourhood, but we have maintained stability and security in our region.
'We also try to help our neighbours do the same,' he said, Bernama reported.
Abdel Aziz said the GCC also believes it shares common values with Asean, especially in staying neutral in world politics.
'What we share with Asean is that we have chosen to be independent and neutral in conflicts.'
The GCC brings together the six states of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates as an economic and political grouping in the Arabian Gulf established through a charter signed in Abu Dhabi on May 25, 1981.
On the GCC's key expectation from this Asean Summit under Malaysia's chairmanship, Abdel Aziz said the event is highly anticipated where both regional groups aim to take their cooperation to the next level.
He added that over the past two years, the council has established a solid framework for cooperation with Asean, namely in political dialogue, security and trade.
'Under economy, we are already exploring the establishment of a free trade area between Asean and the GCC.
'We are optimistic that this summit will push our cooperation further and faster,' he added.
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