Dubai: The unity and solidarity of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) are still intact, and the alliance is standing against various kinds of challenges and trials over the years, Kuwait’s First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Shaikh Sabah Al Khalid Al Hamad Al Sabah said on Monday at the opening of the 144th GCC foreign ministers meeting.
The meeting was held ahead of the 38th GCC Summit scheduled for December 5-6.
Shaikh Sabah Al Khalid welcomed the ministers, saying that their presence will contribute to the success of the summit, Kuwait News Agency (Kuna) reported.
He thanked Bahrain for hosting the previous summit, the GCC Secretariat and the participants for attending the meeting.
The minister stressed the importance of the current summit, noting that it will contribute to the continuation of the GCC success.
Kuwait’s Emir Shaikh Sabah Al Ahmad and fellow GCC leaders are hopeful that the summit would continue to be the venue that serves the people of the region and carries on the rapid development of GCC nations, the minister said.
He noted that the GCC supportive stance during the Iraqi invasion in 1990 and the subsequent liberation of Kuwait in 1991 was one of the many instances that proved the strength of the regional body against aggressors.
The minister added he hoped that the current summit would fulfil the aspirations of the people in the region and would continue the GCC's strong stride towards a brighter future.
In his speech, GCC Secretary General Abdul Lateef Al Zayani said that the strategic ties linking the GCC members must continue to address current and future challenges.
Al Zayani thanked the Kuwaiti leadership for hosting the event which hopefully continues the success story of the council.
The Amir Shaikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah's strong support to the GCC's stability, security, and cooperation is a clear example of Kuwaiti generosity and supportive stance, he added
