Speaker receives GCC chief; stresses parliamentary support for joint GCC action

Manama, Oct. 28 (BNA): Speaker of the Council of Representatives, Fawzia bint Abdulla Zainal, has affirmed that the joint Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) march is full of political and economic achievements and gains, in light of the unwavering support of GCC leaders, and their constant desire to enhance cooperation and complementarity among member states to meet the aspirations of GCC peoples. She lauded His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa’s constant keenness to support joint GCC action to meet the aspirations of GCC countries and their peoples, as well as to strengthen the pillars of security, peace and stability. The speaker made the statements while receiving here today GCC Secretary-General, Nayef Falah Al-Hajraf, and his accompanying delegation, currently on a visit to the kingdom. She welcomed the GCC chief’s visit to Bahrain, stressing its importance in enhancing areas of cooperation between the two sides in upgrading GCC relations. She stressed the need to exert more efforts to broaden GCC cooperation across various fields, commensurate with the common aspirations of GCC citizens who, she said, are bound by solid deep-rooted relations and common destiny. She indicated that the current circumstances resulting from the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) require concerted efforts, unified stances and exchange of experiences and expertise to increase GCC countries’ capabilities in combating the pandemic and mitigating its impacts. The speaker underlined the Kingdom’s Legislative Branch’s keenness to push cooperation with GCC countries’ legislative institutions through constant communication, coordination and understanding. She praised the efforts being exerted by the GCC Secretary-General, and the Secretariat-General to ensure the continuity of GCC meetings, and joint events despite the exceptional circumstances created by the pandemic. Dr. Nayed Al-Hajraf expressed appreciation to the Speaker for her support to the joint GCC action. He lauded the steady progress made by the kingdom, as well as its distinguished achievements in addressing COVID-19 pandemic, which, he said, has contributed to protecting the health and safety of the local society.