Jeddah, September 03: Foreign ministers of the Cooperation Council for Arab States of the Gulf (CCASG) have supported the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) claim over the islands of Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb and Abu Musa, the WAM news agency reported.
The UAE will also have sovereign right over the islands’ territorial waters, airspace and the continental shelf, the report said.
The ministers urged Iran, which also claim the islands as part of its territory, to positively respond to the UAE’s endeavours and peaceful initiatives to settle the issue of the islands through direct bilateral negotiations or by referring the case to the International Court of Justice.
They also called for considering peaceful means that would help the UAE restore its right to the three ‘occupied islands’.
The Gulf ministers expressed regret over the absence of any positive outcome of contacts with Tehran over the issue.
A solution to the issue would have promoted regional peace and stability, according to the final communique issued at the conclusion of the 112th session of the grouping held in Jeddah Tuesday.
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gergash led the UAE delegation at the meeting.
—IANS