Six Gulf countries’ foreign ministers held a meeting hosted by Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan on Sunday. Gathering ahead of the 42nd summit of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), the foreign ministers specified the agenda for the annual meeting of the organization.
As a result of the meeting, topics, including collective security, regional conflicts, and the region’s development, are placed at the top of the summit agenda.
Apart from those six foreign ministers, Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and GCC Secretary-General Nayef Al Hajraf also attended Sunday’s meeting.
Following the meeting, a joint press conference was held by the Saudi and Egyptian top diplomats, as well as Secretary-General Nayef Al Hajraf. Terming his country’s relations with the Gulf states as “close and strategic,” the Egyptian Foreign Minister said, “We are coordinating with the GCC countries on all issues. We hope the meeting will contribute to the stability of the region and people’s prosperity.”
Speaking on his behalf, the Secretary-General stated, “There is continuing consultation between the Gulf states and Egypt to enhance the stability of the region and the world. The ministerial meeting affirmed support for Gulf-Egyptian relations.”
Reiterating his country’s keenness to provide safety and security for the Gulf region, the Saudi Foreign Minister emphasized the significance of joint action between GCC states and Egypt to guarantee prosperity for the region’s people.
The 42nd session of the GCC will be held in the Saudi capital of Riyadh and be launched on December 14. Saudi King Salman will chair the upcoming annual meeting, in which the region’s leaders will come together to discuss ways of reaching coordination, integration, and interdependence between the Gulf states in various fields, including economy, commerce, education, and culture.
This year’s meeting would be the first since the crisis between Qatar and its Gulf neighbors was resolved in the previous summit held in January.
