The 40th session of the GCC Supreme Council concluded on Tuesday with emphasizing the necessity of achieving coordination, integration and interdependence among the GCC countries in all fields to attain unity.

The final statement also underlined that the GCC countries stand united together in the face of the attacks which the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was subjected to during this year, which embodies the defense policy of the Gulf Cooperation Council based on the principle of integrated and equal collective security principle, and the principles contained in the joint defense agreement approved in 2000.

The statement underscored that the security of the GCC states is an indivisible unit, indicating that any aggression against a GCC member state is an aggression on all members.

The statement noted the measures undertaken by the GCC countries as a result of the navigational attacks in the Gulf countries and the oil installations in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, explaining that these measures confirmed the GCC states keenness on stabilizing oil markets and the recovery of the global economy by preserving the interests of producing and consuming countries in cooperation and coordination with the active forces in the international community.

Meanwhile, the statement underlined that the challenges facing the region emphasize the paramount importance of strengthening the mechanisms of cooperation between the GCC states in all areas, achieving the maximum stages of integration and interdependence between the GCC people, upholding the role of the cooperation system in maintaining security, stability and prosperity in the region, and activating the mechanisms of strategic partnerships and cooperation that link the GCC system with brotherly and friendly countries.

The Council praised the endeavors and sincere efforts exerted by HH the Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah to bridge the rift that has marred the relations between the member states, and expressed its support for these efforts and the importance of continuing them within the framework of the united GCC house.

The Council also praised the success of the 24th Arabian Gulf Cup which was hosted by the State of Qatar, and the distinct organization and efforts exerted by the State to make this championship a success.

The statement highlighted the need to achieve economic unity by accelerating the completion of the necessary legislation and decisions to implement the remaining steps of the economic integration between the member states, including the customs union, the common market and the financial and monetary integration, in order to achieve the full Gulf citizenship and economic unity by 2025.

On the necessity of completing the requirements of global competitiveness, the statement stressed the GCC countries' endeavors to achieve advanced positions globally through an integrated management under the umbrella of the Gulf Cooperation Council, to formulate modern methods in addressing future files and including them in all the plans presented, in the forefront of which are the exploitation of science and technology supported by research to find solutions to common challenges facing the region, such as securing water, energy and agriculture, and finding solutions to communicable and non-communicable diseases, as well as encouraging youth leadership by promoting awareness of the importance of innovation and entrepreneurship among all segments of society, especially university students, and the development of infrastructure and legal and regulatory legislation which contributes to empowering innovators, as well as cooperation with government and private agencies, investment programs and international funds to support and finance emerging youth projects and encourage common projects among the GCC youth.

The statement also stressed the importance of promoting strategic partnerships, noting that the challenges facing the region require strengthening cooperation and partnership relations, raising levels of economic, cultural, security and political coordination with all brotherly and friendly countries and effective regional and international systems, completing free trade negotiations and implementing joint action plans in a way that is beneficial to the GCC citizens and enhances the international standing of the Gulf Cooperation Council and its role in regional and international issues.

The GCC leaders underlined the keenness to preserve the strength and cohesion of the Gulf Cooperation Council and the unity of the ranks among its members, and to maintain this region as an oasis of stability, security, economic prosperity and social peace.

The GCC Supreme Council affirmed the Council's firm positions regarding the Palestinian cause as the first Arab and Muslim issue, and its support for the permanent sovereignty of the Palestinian people over all the occupied Palestinian territories since June 1967, the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, and the return of refugees according to the Arab Peace Initiative, international references and international legitimacy resolutions, stressing the necessity of activating the efforts of the international community to resolve the conflict in a way that preserves all the legitimate rights of the brotherly Palestinian people.

(News source: QNA, cover photo source: MDWLiveQatar/Twitter)

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Khadiza Begum

Content Writer

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