New York, September 24 (QNA) - Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi and the Portuguese Minister of State and Foreign Affairs Paulo Rangel signed Thursday a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen relations between the two sides and outline a roadmap to explore areas that will contribute to achieving shared interests.

In a statement, Albudaiwi said that GCC member states consistently seek to broaden and elevate their relations with countries and international organizations worldwide, and that the signing of the GCC-Portugal MoU underscores this aspiration.

The two sides discussed ways to strengthen relations between the GCC and Portugal, as well as developments in the region, particularly regarding the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab al-Mandab Strait, and their impact on regional and global security and stability. (QNA)