Wrapping up the 41^st Summit of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), the Gulf leaders vowed to fight against those who threaten the security and stability of their states.

“This summit sends a message to the entire world that no matter how much disagreements are there in one house, it takes wisdom to overcome all these and take the region to a safety land,” said Foreign Minister Prince Faisal Bin Farhan in a joint press conference with the GCC Secretary-General Dr. Nayef Al-Hajraf at the end of the summit on Tuesday evening.

The summit agreed to close ranks and coordinate efforts to encounter common challenges. The communiqué stated that the GCC leaders will continue the march of unity and cooperation in order to achieve common interests to serve their people and consolidate security and stability in the region.

Prince Faisal emphasized that the signing of the final communiqué, termed “AlUla Declaration,” marks the complete end to the dispute with Qatar and the return of diplomatic relations to what they were before the crisis. “The Al-Ula summit led to turning the page on the past and looking forward to a future dominated by cooperation and respect in a way that preserves the security and stability of states.”

Prince Faisal said that the communiqué calls for enhancing cooperation in combating terrorist entities and emphasizing that the GCC states would stand together. The AlUla Declaration underscored the need for strengthening relations and respecting the principles of good neighborliness.

“The communiqué affirms the solidarity of the Gulf states in the face of any direct or indirect interference in the affairs of any of them,” he said while highlighting that Gulf states affirmed that no state’s sovereignty be violated or its security targeted.

On his part, GCC Chief Al-Hajraf affirmed that the Gulf countries usually overcome all challenges with strength and determination. “The AlUla Declaration emphasized the lofty goals of the GCC, and strengthened the bonds of friendship and brotherhood among the GCC countries.”

Al-Hajraf, who read out the AlUla Declaration, said that the coronavirus pandemic challenge confirms the need for enhanced cooperation and coordination.

“The communiqué emphasized the completion of implementing previously agreed economic projects and strengthening of military integration among the member states to confront the challenges,” he said.

“The Gulf countries dealt with the repercussions of coronavirus with economic decisiveness,” he said while pointing out that the economic challenges due to the pandemic would continue for some time,” the GCC chief added.

Saudi Gazette