MANAMA, June 25 (Xinhua) -- A ministerial meeting between the United States and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), held on Thursday in Manama, welcomed the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the United States and Iran, according to a joint statement.
The meeting was co-chaired by visiting U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Bahraini Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, current chairman of the GCC Ministerial Council, the Bahrain News Agency reported.
The ministers welcomed the signing of the U.S.-Iran MoU on June 17 and recognized the mediation roles played by Pakistan and Qatar.
They further stressed that any trade and investment with Iran would be conditional and reversible, depending on Iran's compliance with the MoU and any final agreement, the cessation of its "destabilizing behaviour," and the creation of conditions necessary for economic engagement.
The ministers emphasized the need to maintain momentum and unity as negotiations continue towards a more permanent end to hostilities and the shared objective of preventing Iran from developing or acquiring nuclear weapons.
They also stressed the importance of reopening the Strait of Hormuz and rejected any tolls, fees, or attempts to assert control over the strait.
On Syria, they expressed support for the Syrian people in building a stable, peaceful, inclusive, and sovereign country fully integrated into the region.
On Lebanon, the ministers reaffirmed their full commitment to Lebanon's sovereignty, security, stability, and territorial integrity. They also welcomed the ongoing bilateral negotiations between Israel and Lebanon, which are aimed at establishing the conditions necessary for a durable peace and security agreement between the two countries. ■
