Foreign Minister chairs GCC preparatory meeting

Manama, Dec. 27 (BNA): The Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states held remotely today the 146th preparatory session of the GCC Ministerial Council ahead of the 41st Gulf Summit. The meeting was chaired by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chairman of the next Gulf Summit, Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al-Zayani,, with the participation of GCC Secretary-General, Dr. Nayef bin Falah Mubarak Al-Hajraf. The Minister of Foreign Affairs delivered a speech in which he paid homage to three late GCC leaders: His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said, His Highness Shaikh Sabah Al Ahmed Al Jaber Al Sabah and His Royal Highness Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, commending their achievements and contribution to the GCC march, the Arab and Islamic nations and all humanity. Dr. Al-Zayani expressed appreciation of the Kingdom of Bahrain’s presidency of the 41st Gulf Summit, under the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. He expressed hope the summit, which will be hosted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia under the patronage of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, will come up with positive results to achieve the noble goals of the Gulf Cooperation Council. Dr. Al Zayani expressed utter confidence in the Saudi leadership and its key role in maintaining the GCC cohesion, mending the rift and ushering in a new phase to boost the GCC dialogue and achieve forward-looking goals of preserving security and stability, fighting terrorism and its funding, facing discourse of incitement, hatred and violence and standing against interference in the internal affairs of the GCC countries. The Foreign Minister stressed the need to end regional conflicts and disputes through peaceful means and in accordance with international conventions and the principles of good neighborliness. He emphasized the importance of joining efforts to return to the old norms of the Gulf when the land and sea borders were open and the sources of livelihood were available to all while taking into account the need to respect countries, their laws, and sovereignty. The GCC Foreign Ministers discussed a number of topics on their agenda.