Thinking about the Gulf and Europe mutualities come into mind. Both the European Union and the Gulf Cooperation Council, or GCC, aim at economic integration of their member states, facilitate social and cultural relationships among members and coordinate and cooperate in foreign and security policy issues.
Particularly in regard to foreign and security policy the EU and the GCC have common interests: furthering the peace process in the Middle East, stability in the region, encountering international terrorism and securing energy supplies. Let me address them in more detail.
Let me start with the Middle East Peace Process: We all agree that a solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict is of utmost importance for stability in the region. For the EU, in the immediate vicinity of the Middle East, peace and security in the region is a major concern. Crises in the Middle East have not only an immediate impact on your countries but also on Europe as a neighbouring region.
Thus, bringing about stability and security in the Middle East must be a common concern. The EU therefore will not cease to support any effort leading to a peaceful and sustainable solution of the conflict providing for two states living side by side in internationally recognized borders.
Under its forthcoming EU presidency starting in January 2007, Germany aims at strengthening the role of the Middle East Quartet including a close coordination with the actors in the Middle East. The basis for our commitment remains the Roadmap.
Regarding Lebanon and Syria we are deeply shocked about Pierre Gemayel's murder, and we are concerned about the volatile situation in Lebanon. We call on all parties in Lebanon to seek a non-violent political solution to their differences. It is our common interest that Lebanon remains a democratic, independent, sovereign state. Prime Minister Siniora and his government are democratically elected. They do need international support. We explicitly recognise the substantial pledges of aid and financial support for Lebanon from the Arabic world. It is important to demonstrate to the people of Lebanon that the commitment and work of the international community are serving their interests.
Germany is contributing significantly to the operation UNIFIL, were we are currently commanding the multinational Maritime Task Force of the mission. Additionally, we are planning to support the Lebanese Naval Forces by military training and some equipment.
The stability of Iraq is a key factor with regard to the security interests of the countries in the region. There is consensus in the EU that the "Iraq Compact" must include political as well as security policy issues. It is important that all members of the Iraqi government support the priorities and objectives agreed to in the compact. We also need a "national pact" for Iraq. The national reconciliation process must be pushed onward and filled with life. Only when the pressing domestic political issues (militia, distribution of oil revenues, nation building) are solved, the spiral of violence can be stemmed. To bring about a successful political solution Iraq will need the help of its neighbouring states.
Germany is engaged in bi- and trilateral training support for the Iraqi armed forces. The model has proven effective. Continuation of the cooperation was agreed this year.
We welcome initial signs of a change of the US-Iraq policy. The results of the Iraq study group headed by former secretary of state James Baker are an encouraging step in this context.
Let me now turn towards Iran: The Iranian nuclear issue is a concern for the entire international community. Let me underline once again: Nobody questions Iran's right to peaceful use of nuclear energy! But the world needs to be certain that the programme is indeed for peaceful purposes only.
Together with United Kingdom and France ("E3", supported by the EU High Representative) USA, Russia and China, Germany has worked hard on finding a solution to this imminent problem. Our offer to Iran handed over in June this year provides for potentially far-reaching and future-oriented cooperation with Iran.
We are disappointed that Iran did not accept this offer and did' not heed the numerous calls by the international community to clarify all outstanding questions. UN Security Council proceedings therefore had o be resumed. Nevertheless, the door remains open for talks. Our proposal remains on the table.
Allow me now to present our position on some security issues. The most prominent topic in this regard is International Terrorism, which represents a fundamental threat to freedom and security of all our countries. In fighting terrorism we need a comprehensive approach including political, economical, and military means. No country will be able to fulfil this task on its own. Only in close cooperation will we be able to counter terrorism effectively. It should be our primary goal to eliminate the causes of terrorism by stabilising regions of concern and enhancing the living conditions of the people.
Given the increasing demand in energy worldwide and aside from concerns regarding the impact on our climate, securing energy supplies becomes more and more a security policy issue. The shaping of future energy supplies is a common' responsibility of producing as well as consumer countries.
During the German EU- and G8 - Presidency in 2007, this will be one of our areas of main effort. We will especially focus on the issues of foreign relations in terms of energy, renewable energies and energy efficiency. The Gulf region, which harbours almost 60 % of all known oil reserves and 45 % of the world's natural gas reserves,will be one of our main partners in this dialogue.
This short list of areas of common concern for the Gulf states as well as for Europe clearly shows the necessity of an enhanced political dialogue between the European Union and the Gulf Cooperation Council and deepened biand multilateral talks between the member states.
Bilaterally as well as within the EU context Germany attributes great importance to the relations with the Gulf nations and is eager to further intensify relations. Therefore, allow me to use my presentation to explicitly invite you to actively join and participate in a trustful dialogue about political and security policy issues.
In this context, the rapid conclusion of the 16-year negotiations on an EU-GCC free trade agreement would be of particular importance and could give further political impetus. This would be the first such agreement signed by the GCC and another multinational organisation.
We continue to support the offer for dialogue made at the 15th EU-GCC-Meeting 2005 in Manama regarding issues on regional security. We are willing and prepared, f desired, o promote further development of bilateral relations between the EU and the GCC members as well as the institutional EU-GCC partnership in the spirit of the "EU Strategic Partnership with the Mediterranean and the Middle East" adopted by the European Council in June 2004. This strategic partnership is an offer for cooperation in the areas of human rights and the rule of law as well as nonproliferation of weapons of mass destruction, security policy dialogue, the fight against terrorism, migration, economic reform, social development and cultural issues, aiming, first and foremost, at creating a common space of peace, prosperity and progress through partnership.
The EU's strategic partnership is, above all, an offer for cooperation to the states in the Gulf area and provides a good basis for further development of relations in different areas of activity.
For us, security and stability in the region of the Greater Middle East are a top priority concern, which we share with all GCC states. Together, in a joint effort we should start to reach this goal by way of specific projects. The respective initiative, however, must originate from the region.
NATO's Istanbul Cooperation Initiative launched on 28 June 2004 has met with positive response. It initially addressed the Gulf states and is an offer to engage in deepened cooperation. In 2005, at their own request, the NATO council formally confirmed Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates as members of the Istanbul Cooperation Initiative.
Based on the principle of "Joint Ownership" the initiative in a long-term concept aims at establishing a partnership in the security field with states in the region. NATO's Istanbul Cooperation Initiative is complementary to further initiatives (like of the G8, EU, OSCE or the NATO Mediterranean Dialogue). The initiative intends to offer the countries of the broader Middle East region practical bilateral security cooperation with NATO. We are looking forward to further developments in this field.
In working together we have a chance of bringing about a solution to our common central security questions - to the benefit of all. Thank you for your attention.
