Strategic dialogues and negotiations: 32. The Supreme Council expressed satisfaction over the tireless efforts of the Ministerial Council and the General Secretariat to strengthen the strategic partnership between GCC countries and a number of countries and international groups, and push for implementing what has been agreed upon in the working groups and joint committees formed for this purpose. It also expressed satisfaction over the progress made in strengthening the strategic partnership with each of Jordan and Morocco. 33. The Supreme Council blessed the resumption of free trade negotiations with China. The council was briefed on progress of negotiation rounds. Situation in Palestinian territories and developments of Arab-Israeli conflict: 34. The Supreme Council expressed its firm stances towards the issues of the region, particularly the Palestinian Cause, stressing that a comprehensive, just and lasting peace can be achieved only with the complete withdrawal of Israel from all Arab territories occupied in 1967, and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Al-Quds as its capital in accordance with Arab peace initiative and the relevant resolutions of international legitimacy. 35. The Supreme Council reaffirmed its support for the French initiative and all Arab and international efforts to broaden participation to solve the Palestinian Cause and speed up holding of the International Conference on Peace and work on ending Israeli occupation and establishment of an independent State of Palestine with full sovereignty. 36. The Supreme Council stressed that Israeli settlements on the occupied Arab territories are illegal under international law and constitute a major obstacle in the way of achieving a lasting and comprehensive peace in the region. 37. The Supreme Council considered that the occupation by Israel of all Arab territories is nullified and void, including the Syrian Golan, stressing that all treaties and laws emphasize the Arab identity of the Golan Heights and the illegality of the Israeli occupation. It welcomed the statement issued by Security Council, which confirmed that any developments by Israel on the Golan should not change the legal situation of the territory. The Council called on the international community to pressure Israel to end its occupation of all occupied Arab territories including the Syrian Golan Heights. 38. The Supreme Council reaffirmed its support for the accession of Palestine to UN as a full member in all regional and international forums. 39. The Supreme Council welcomed the outcome of the vote of the Executive Board of the Organization of (UNESCO) in Paris on October 18, 2016, about the historic decision, which stated that there is no Jewish religious link between Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Western Wall, and considered them as pure Islamic heritage. The Council stressed that the decision was expressing the Arab Palestinian right firm supported by law and the resolutions of international legitimacy and the holy sites in Al-Quds and the Holy Al-Aqsa mosque, and embodied a truth supported by evidences and the effects of history and ancient civilization. Asserting the invalidity of the Israeli allegations and fabrications. --More 22:38 LOCAL TIME 19:38 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/w285745