Malta seeks increased collaboration with Gulf Cooperation Council

Foreign minister George Vella and the Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani have signed a memorandum of understanding that will result in "more structured and strategic dialogue," between Malta and the council.

The MOU - a five year agreement - will see the formation of working groups that will meet at least once a year, Vella said, adding that it will focus on cooperation on sport, culture and research.

Representatives from Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, UAE and Oman will be represented in all talks, Al Zayani added.

Speaking at a joint press conference held after the signing of the agreement, Vella said that the meeting, which he said is long overdue, sought to launch a "new deeper and stronger" relationship with the council.

"We spoke about strengthening what is already there. We won't be reinventing the wheel," Vella said, adding that the increased cooperation would not only be political, but will also focus on business and trade.

Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani

"We also want to increase the contact of people," the minister said, emphasising the importance of different peoples coming together and appreciating each other's culture.

In addition to greater business ties, the agreement will hope to increase cooperation on renewable energy, the environment and health.

On his part Al Zayani said that the "private sector will be the engine for cooperation." 

He said that issues such as the conflicts in Yemen, Libya and Syria had been discussed and stated that the GCC believed that any resolution to these conflicts whilst be the result of a diplomatic process.

He congratulated Malta on its presidency of the European Council and said he hoped this would also lead to greater cooperation between the GCC and Europe.