The Secretary General of the six-member Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Dr.Abdul Latif bin Rashed Al-Zayani, has expressed his happiness over the growing cooperation with the 27-member European Union.

"As usual the meetings are among friends. We have agreement on all Issues of common interest," he told the Kuwait news agency, KUNA, Tuesday commenting on the outcome of the EU-GCC ministerial meeting held in Luxembourg Monday evening.

"The relationship between the GCC and the European Union is very strong. It builds on a long relationship for many years. The formal relationship between the GCC and the EU started 28 years ago and is always growing," he noted.

"Trade is growing and exchange of cooperation, coordination, consultation is always there. We are very happy about the relationship that we are maintaining," said Al Zayani.

"We appreciate the EU support in helping the GCC and their support for GCC initiative in Yemen. We have emphasized the importance of helping and supporting Yemen and the Yemeni people," he said.

The GCC chief said the issue of Syria is always there was discussed in the meeting.
"What is happening in Syria is terrible. All parties want to see the killing of the people to be stopped. The bloodshed must stop. We do care for the safety, security and unity of Syria," he told KUNA.

"We respect and hope the aspiration of the Syrian people will be achieved and we hope that the international community will take up its role in ensuring that such massacre stops," said Al Zarani.

"We in the GCC always maintained non-interference in any of the internal affairs. We firmly believe in solving disputes through diplomatic means and we have to play our role in maintaining and ensuring the safety and security and the prosperity of our region. We hope others will also share the same values and interests," he added.

The GCC includes Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.