Riyadh: Leaders of the Gulf nations met for talks on greater regional economic and defence integration as the annual Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) summit ended on Tuesday, Arab News reported.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who chaired the meeting, stressed the importance of Gulf states' unity in the face of security challenges and said that GCC's efforts to enhance regional security are continued. He lauded the commitment and solidarity that led to the Al-'Ula declaration's success.
Saudi wish to build a prosperous economy that depends on diversifying sources of income while keeping pace with developments in all fields. The GCC has achieved great since it was established in 1981 and is wishing for more, he said.
Regional security was a major item in the GCC summit's agenda, which included Iran's nuclear ambitions and challenges in Iraq, Yemen, Lebanon, Palestine, Sudan, and Libya. Salman said Saudi wishes to deal Iranian nuclear issue seriously. The Kingdom stresses the importance of Iraq's stability and reaching a political solution for Yemen.
Regarding joint defence, the communique of the meeting stated that any attack, as well as any threat on any of the member states, is a threat on all. GCC General Secretary Nayef Falah Mubarak Al-Hajraf said that the meeting discussed the implementation of King Salman's vision for Gulf integration that sought stability and solidarity among GCC states, preservation of their interests and avoidance of regional and international conflicts. Al-Hajraf also called for strengthening the role of women and the youth in facing regional challenges, the communique added.
The meeting further discussed the importance of integrating foreign policies of member states to form a unified and effective foreign policy. The leaders also talked about dealing with climate change, its effects and implementing the circular carbon economy.
The GCC summit was attended by King Hamad of Bahrain, Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim Al-Thani, Sheikh Fahd Al-Said of Oman, Crown Prince Sheikh Mishal Al-Jaber Al-Sabah of Kuwait and UAE Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum.