EU’s Mogherini Urges Gulf States to Accept Amir of Kuwait’s Mediation

EU High Representative Federica Mogherini.

Brussels, 25 Ramadan 1438/20 June 2017 (MINA Foreign Ministers of the 28-member European Union (EU) on Monday endorsed their support to the mediation efforts by His Highness the Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah to find a quick solution to the crisis in the Gulf.

“I can share with you that all 28 ministers were fully backing the approach we have taken in the last couple of weeks — We encourage all Gulf countries to engage in dialogue without precondition and accepting the mediation role of Kuwait,” KUNA quoted EU High Representative Federica Mogherini as telling a press conference after a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg Monday afternoon.

“All parties have an interest in finding a quick solution to the tensions.The excellent mediating efforts of the HH the Amir of Kuwait has our full support,” stressed the EU foreign policy chief.

“We are ready to help, assist and accompany these mediation efforts in all ways that might be requested. We believe though that the region, the Gulf, has in itself the possible strength and wisdom to find a political way out of this crisis,” she stated.

Mogherini said that the EU ministers expressed a strong interest in the stability and the unity of the Gulf, noting that the Gulf countries are key interlocutors and partners in the fight against terrorism , in finding the way out in some of the conflicts of the region starting from Syria, but also being relevant interlocutors or actors when it comes to the situation in Libya.

“We encourage de-escalation. The EU has firm intention to keep strong relations and ties with all Gulf countries. I see that there is an interest in all the actors around the Gulf to find a way out of the tensions through dialogue,” she said.

Mogherini said she had discussed the crisis with the Kuwaiti First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah.
“Our strong plea to our friends in the Gulf is for reason to prevail and find a way to solve any dispute and differences through dialogue,” she said.

Meanwhile, German Foreign Minister Sigmmar Gabriel told reporters after the meeting: “We all support the mediation efforts of the Amir of Kuwait. (T/RS5/RS1)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)