QNA/Doha

HE the Foreign Minister Dr Khalid bin Mohamed al-Attiyah has called for effective co-operation and integration among Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) states to help them face challenges.
Addressing the opening session of the GCC Consultative Authority meeting, at the Sheraton Doha Hotel yesterday, Dr al-Attiyah said the Arab region is going through exceptional circumstances, internal challenges and external crises which are casting their shadows on the world.
He said that facing such challenges and reducing the impact of crises require effective co-operation and integration among GCC states.
Dr al-Attiyah stressed that such co-operation and integration will fortify the Gulf states and strengthen their economic, social, political and security fabric, protect their gains and fulfil the aspirations of their citizens.
He expressed confidence that GCC Consultative Authority members will take decisions that will contribute to the development and progress in the States of the region, attain the GCC peoples’ progress and prosperity and enhance the presence of the GCC on the global map.
“We in the ministerial council are confident that your esteemed authority represents  one of the most important aspects of the common action in the GGC organisation and there is no doubt that your assignment by leaders of the GCC Supreme Council to study topics such as the ones that have been approved, confirms that the Supreme Council is supporting your authority’s views,” the Foreign Minister said, adding: “We are waiting for views on the issues assigned to your authority at the last GCC Summit which was held in Doha in December last year,  namely strengthening the partnership between the public and private sectors in the GCC countries,  growth of GCC nationals’ income and their well-being, the future of oil and gas as a source of wealth and energy in GCC states and the importance of maintaining them as a strategic, security and developmental choice.”
Earlier, HE al-Attiyah welcomed the GCC delegation on behalf of the leadership, government and people of Qatar.
Meanwhile, GCC Secretary-General Dr Abdul Latif bin Rahsid al-Zayani, in his address, expressed  condolences on the death of King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz al-Saud. He praised the efforts made by King Abdullah to enhance the nation’s unity and his support for its just causes and the humanity as a whole, in addition to his keenness to promote GCC solidarity.
Dr al-Zayani praised Qatar’s support for the GCC joint action under the leadership of HH the Emir and  Chairman of the 35th session of the GCC Supreme Council Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani.
He also hailed the positive role played by the GCC Consultative Authority.
The GCC Secretary-General congratulated Mubarak bin Ali al-Khater, who has been chosen as the chairman of the current session, and also HE Sheikh Hamad bin Saud al-Sayari who has been chosen as deputy chairman, and expressed his appreciation to Abdullah Yaqoub Bishara, who chaired the Consultative Authority’s 17th session.


Related Story