The Secretary-General Abdellatif al-Zayani read the declaration in which member countries underscored their loyalty to the organization.
GCC declaration also emphasized that it would continue to support fellow states, the Palestinian cause, and Yemen.
On the economy, the leaders voiced their commitment to the timetable that was set in completing complete economic unity among the GCC members. They agreed to remove all obstacles that may hinder their joint efforts and decisions, especially in regards to the implementation of the joint Gulf market and customs union. Complete economic unity is predicted to be achieved by 2025.
On the defense level, the gatherers agreed that the appointment of a commander for united military command for the GCC was an important step in completing the joint defense system. They urged stepping up efforts to complete all procedures needed to activate the military command and establish the Gulf academy for strategic and security studies.
On the security level, they stressed the importance of the GCC’s role in maintaining regional stability and security, confronting terrorist organizations and countering extremist ideology through promoting values of tolerance, human rights and moderation. They highlighted the rule of law and justice that are derived from Islam and Arab traditions.
GCC Secretary General Dr Abdul Latif al-Zayani read out the Riyadh Declaration closing statement that highlighted the dangers lurking in the region, as well as the economic challenges it is encountering.
He therefore stressed the importance of maintaining the GCC path of bolstering collective work and amassing joint efforts to confront these challenges, as well as meet the aspirations of the people.
The GCC was established 37 years ago and its charter stipulates that its members must achieve coordination among each other in all fields in order to complete their unity. They must also deepen and strengthen their ties, he added.
The state minister has no portfolio, meaning that he is not responsible for any particular area of the Qatari government’s activities, performing mainly representational functions on the part of the Qatari government.
“Qatari State Minister for Foreign Affairs Soltan Al-Muraikhi arrived in Riyadh at the head of Qatar’s delegation to attend the summit of the cooperation council [GCC],” AlRumaihi said via his official Twitter feed.
Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud invited the Qatari emir to the 39th GCC despite the fact that three out of six council members have broken off diplomatic relations with Doha. Al-Thani, in turn, declined the invitation.
All the Gulf states are interested in keeping the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) functioning, Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud said on Sunday amid the ongoing diplomatic crisis between the Arab monarchies and Qatar.“Everyone is interested in preserving the organization and strengthening its role in the future. The Cooperation Council was established to strengthen security and stability and serve the people of the Gulf states,” the king said at the summit’s opening, as broadcast by Al Ekhbariya broadcaster.
The Qatari emir did attend last year’s GCC meeting in Kuwait, although Al-Thani and Kuwait’s emir, Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, were the only heads of state present at the event, with the other four GCC member countries — Bahrain, Oman, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates — sending low-level representatives.
Meanwhile, Emir of Kuwait Jaber Al Ahmad Al Sabah called on Sunday for the Persian Gulf monarchies to halt mutual media campaigns over the Saudi-Qatari row.
“According to our position on preserving unity of the Persian Gulf states and promoting their prosperity, we call for an end to the information campaigns that have hurt our principles and planted seeds of hatred in our society,” the emir said at the 39th summit of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in Ryadh, as broadcast by Al Ekhbariya.
Bahrain, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates broke off diplomatic relations with Qatar in June 2017 and imposed an economic blockade on the country, accusing Doha of supporting terrorism.
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