Shura Chairman: Speakers' meeting reflects strong GCC relations

Manama, Nov. 23 (BNA): Shura Council Chairman, Ali bin Saleh Al-Saleh, has stressed that the meeting of the speakers of GCC legislative councils provides an opportunity to enhance and broaden GCC parliamentary cooperation and coordination in a way that reflects the strength of the sincere and solid relations among the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. Al-Saleh was addressing the 14th periodic meeting of the Speakers of the GCC Shura Councils, Council of Representatives, the Federal National Council, and the National Assembly, held today via video conferencing, under the chairmanship of the Speaker of the Council of Representatives, Fawzia bint Abdulla Zainal. Al-Saleh, who headed the kingdom’s parliamentary delegation during the event, said that the meeting provides a platform to discuss various issues and challenges facing the GCC region, and contributes, along with GCC governments, to achieving the aspirations of GCC peoples for security, stability and prosperity. He added that such meetings testify to the strong belief of the speakers in the importance of parliamentary diplomacy in supporting the efforts of the official diplomacy of GCC states to enhance fruitful and constructive cooperation among member countries across various fields. The Shura Chairman praised the valuable efforts being exerted by GCC countries to turn the unprecedented challenges created by the novel coronavirus pandemic into opportunities in the economic and health fields, noting that the endeavours made by every GCC state to combat the pandemic and limit its spread is a success story thanks to their robust health systems and distinction of their medical competencies. He pointed out that the COVID-19 pandemic is about to be eliminated, stressing the need to continue strengthening GCC countries’ health systems and enhancing joint GCC cooperation in the health field so as to be able to face potential epidemics and challenges in the future. He added that coronavirus has shifted attention towards strengthening the role technology and digitalization and re-thinking the production base in GCC countries, stressing the need not to rely on oil and gas, and calling for more use of clean renewable energy, given its role in diversifying the sources of income and protecting the environment by reducing the carbon footprint, creating new job opportunities, saving gas and encouraging the growth of the green economy with the aim of achieving sustainable development. This could be achieved through bolstering cooperation among GCC states, which will entitle them to lead the Arab Nation towards a promising future, he said. Al-Saleh lauded the pivotal and pioneering role played by Saudi Arabia at the global level, as reflected in its presidency of the 15th G20 Leaders’ Summit, held virtually under the chairmanship of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, noting that the outstanding success of the world event is a source of pride for all GCC countries.