Bahrain calls for EU support to stop Hezbollah interference in Syria

MANAMA (Xinhua) - Bahrain, along with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, on Sunday called for the European Union (EU)'s support to stop Hezbollah's increasing " interference" in Syria.

Bahraini Foreign Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa made the call during the opening of the 23rd EU-GCC ministerial meeting which is currently held in the kingdom.

"Foreign ministers reviewed the most important developments in the region such as the Syrian crisis and the participation of the Lebanese Hezbollah terrorist forces ..." said the minister.

GCC foreign ministers are attending the meeting with a strong European delegation headed by EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton.

"This key meeting in Bahrain sets framework for foreign relations and focus on political debate rather than routine encounter," said Ashton.

The meeting is part of a long series of ministerial meetings held over 23 years since the signing of the Cooperation Agreement Framework in 1988 between the two sides to establish contractual relationships, with the aim of strengthening comprehensive cooperation between the two regional economic and trade blocs, and supporting their development based on mutual interests.