Kuwait Calls for (P)GCC-Iran Talks

Kuwait's Foreign Ministry underscored the importance of holding joint talks between member states of the (Persian) Gulf Cooperation Council and Iran. "[P]GCC countries should pursue holding bilateral talks with Iran," Kuwaiti Deputy Foreign Minister Nasser al-Sabeeh said on Saturday, Fars News Agency reported. He stressed that the final decision on holding diplomatic talks with Iran would be made in the council's upcoming summit. The Kuwaiti diplomat said the issue was put forth in the ministerial meeting of the Persian Gulf littoral states. In related remarks earlier this year, Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sabah al-Khalid had underlined the need for joint cooperation with Iran, describing the political talks and consultations with the country as important and strategic. "Kuwait and other Arab states of the Persian Gulf region all agree on the important role of Iran in the region and on the fact that having good relations with Iran would benefit all countries and contribute to regional stability," the top Kuwaiti diplomat said at the time.