Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, praised the achievements of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), highlighting it as a model of comprehensive and sustainable strategic partnership.
The minister commended the GCC’s commitment to the security, stability, and aspirations of its member states by fostering economic citizenship, progress, prosperity, and constructive cooperation to establish regional and international peace and cultural dialogue.
The Foreign Minister congratulated His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and the leaders of the GCC states on the 43rd anniversary of the council’s founding.
The Minister lauded the council’s continuous accomplishments that benefit all GCC citizens, emphasising the GCC’s strong and cohesive cultural and civilisational values and its impactful role on the regional and international stages through visionary and balanced diplomacy.
Dr. Al Zayani expressed Bahrain’s pride under the leadership of His Majesty the King and the support
of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister. He highlighted the GCC’s accomplishments as evidence of the successful cooperation among member states, reflecting unity and shared destiny, and underscoring the GCC’s ability to address challenges, including external interference and combating extremism and terrorism.
He emphasised Bahrain’s commitment, as a founding member of the GCC and current chair of the Arab Summit, to advancing Gulf developmental and integrative achievements and deepening Arab and international partnerships to resolve regional and international conflicts.
This includes efforts to ceasefire in Gaza, deliver humanitarian aid, and establish lasting peace in the Middle East by achieving the two-state solution with an independent Palestinian state and East Jerusalem as its capital.
Additionally, he stressed cooperation to ensure Gulf and Arab national security, maritime navigation, environmental security, and addressing climate change, as well
as the elimination of weapons of mass destruction in the Gulf and Middle East.
Dr. Al Zayani affirmed Bahrain’s support for the aspirations of the GCC leaders to strengthen joint Gulf action, enhance defence and security systems, and implement shared developmental and economic projects, including land, electricity, and water links, railway projects, completing the customs union, and achieving a common Gulf market and economic unity.
He praised the GCC’s success as a pivotal partner in promoting regional and international peace and stability, and supporting sustainable development goals through its strategic partnerships and dialogues with numerous countries and international groups.
The minister highlighted the council’s pioneering achievements in organising various summits, conferences, activities, and competitions in political, economic, security, sports, environmental, and technical fields, and its efforts in diplomatic mediation, conflict resolution, humanitarian aid, and peacekeeping.
In conclusion,
Dr. Al Zayani thanked the Secretary-General of the GCC and all staff members for their dedicated efforts in implementing the council’s decisions aimed at achieving greater coordination and integration among member states in all fields.
He affirmed that the GCC countries are well-positioned to progress towards a Gulf union, given their strong and deep rooted historical ties, geographic and cultural proximity, shared religion, language, common goals, and destiny. He acknowledged the visionary leadership and the unity of their people as key factors in facing challenges and achieving common aspirations for enhanced security, stability, sustainable development, and comprehensive prosperity.
Source: Bahrain News Agency
