Manama Declaration

Motivated by their shared vision of regional stability, peace, and prosperity, the parties to this statement affirm their commitment to work together and to consult as partners and friends as they continue making this vision a reality.

Recalling previous meetings, including the January 16, 2007 meeting in Kuwait, the July 31, 2007 meeting in Sharm el-Sheikh, and the September 25, 2007 meeting on the margins of the opening session of the U.N. General Assembly, the participants affirm the value of these meetings and pledge to continue meeting at these regular intervals to exchange views and consider common approaches to key issues that in one way or another affect this shared vision of regional stability, development, peace, and prosperity.

The participants reaffirm their commitment to the peaceful resolution of regional conflicts pursuant to international norms, including the Charter of the United Nations. In line with the participants' previous declarations such as the Ministerial Joint Statement issued July 31, 2007 in Sharm el-Sheikh the ministers underline the importance of respect for the sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of all states.

The participants reiterate their strong support to the parties in their search for peace. The participants reiterate their commitment to resolve the important issues including reaching an agreement between the Palestinian Authority and Israel on all final status issues during 2008, building on the spirit of the Annapolis Conference, that would crystallize the two state solution on the basis of the internationally agreed upon terms of reference of the Peace Process.

The participants reaffirm their condemnation of terrorism, extremism, and sectarian violence and reaffirm the February 2005 Riyadh Declaration, issued at an international counter-terrorism conference, which rejects "any form of ideology that promotes hatred, incites violence, and condones terrorist crimes, which can by no means be accepted by any religion or law."

The participants reaffirm their continuing commitment to a region in which diverse groups work and live together peacefully and to oppose irresponsible efforts to exploit sectarian and religious difference to provoke crises and undermine the forces of moderation, tolerance, and pluralism. In this context, they reaffirmed their commitment to combating all sorts of defamation of religions.

The participants support economic development that encourages strong, competitive economies, open markets, expanded trade and investment, and greater employment opportunities, allowing citizens to achieve the highest standards of living possible.

The participants underline the need for all states to promote educational and cultural opportunities, higher learning, scientific and artistic achievement, and strengthening the values of understanding, tolerance, and dialogue.

The participants further recognize the need for all states to resolve to deter, prevent and counter the pursuit of nuclear weapons and weapons-related technology in contravention of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, and to support the responsible and transparent development of civilian nuclear energy.

The participants express their steadfast support to the states represented here today that might face threats to their sovereignty and territorial integrity. Agreeing that the peace and security of the region are critical to the health of the global economy and represent vital national interests for all, the participants resolve to continue their longstanding cooperation against such threats.

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