GCC secretary, Vedrine discuss Arab Gulf-French relations

Gulf Cooperation Council Secretary General Sheikh Jamil al-Hujeilan met on Monday night with French Foreign Minister Hubert Vedrine. A statement released by al-Hujeilan's office said that talks "dealt with relations between the GCC member states and France and asserted the development of bilateral relations in various fields."

The French minister expressed to al-Hujeilan his satisfaction over the tour he recently made of Qatar, the UAE and Kuwait, his meetings with the leaders of the said countries and the good talks the French minister had with them.

Talks between the two sides also dealt with the situation in Iraq and the initiative proposed by France in order to lift the economic sanctions imposed on Iraq.

The GCC chief listened to details of this initiative. Talks also covered relations linking France and the GCC member states with Iran. Vedrine noted the visit Iranian President Muhammad Khatami will hold to France following his current visit to Italy.