Maris Riekstins emphasises the role of co-operation between national governments and regional and international organisations in the combating of piracy

On 29 April, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins participated in the 19^th EU- Gulf state Co-operation Council (GCC) and Ministerial Meeting which this year took place at Muscat, in the Sultanate of Oman.

The meeting agenda focussed attention of issues such as the Middle East peace process, the situations in Iraq, Iran, and Yemen, the fight against global terrorism and on the non-proliferation of weapons on mass destruction, human rights and inter-cultural dialogue. The foreign ministers of the EU and of the Gulf states also exchanged views on the global financial and economic crisis and on possible solutions.

The plenary session of the EU and Gulf state foreign ministers discussed the issue of the threat to international shipping by acts of piracy which have noticeably increased in recent times, in particular off the coast of Somalia. Minister Riekstins emphasised the role of co-operation between national governments, regional and international organisations as well as the private sector in the resolution of this question. "The situation in Somalia has not been appropriately evaluated. In this case, the international community must look at the root causes of piracy which is based on political aspects as well as on questions of security", accented the foreign minister. Mr Riekstins emphasised the importance of co-operation among international donors in strengthening the national institutions around the Gulf of Aden in the fight against piracy as well as in searching for solutions to social and economic questions, noting the proceedings of donor's conference in Brussels last week. At the same time, the minister, together with other EU and Gulf state partners focussed attention on the legal issue of calling Iraq to account and as a significant step, mentioning the agreement between the EU and Kenya.  Foreign Minister Riekstins expressed support to the initiative by the U.S. Secretary of State in the creation of a contact group in the fight against piracy off the coast of Somalia.

EU and Gulf state Co-operation Council meetings take place in rotation, on a regular basis and in accord with the signed agreement, at a venue in either the EU or in a member state of the GCC.  Latvia has now participated in five of these meetings, the previous one having taken place on 6 May 2008 in Brussels, Belgium.

The Gulf Co-operation Council was formed in 1981 as a regional organisation and brings together the states of Bahrein, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia.

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