Al Zayani: Qatari Leadership Is Keen on Strengthening GCC Integration and Solidarity

Doha, December 07 (QNA) - The State of Qatar has an active and effective role in the march of the Gulf Cooperation Council and its various achievements in all spheres and at all levels, HE the Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani said. In an interview with Qatar News agency (QNA), HE the GCC Secretary General stressed that the peoples of the GCC countries have absolute faith that HH the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani and his brothers the GCC leaders are keen on promoting the march of the Gulf Cooperation Council towards more integration, interdependence and solidarity. Speaking about the upcoming GCC Summit in Doha, Al Zayani said that Doha Summit will be held in a very important time and extremely critical circumstance, which undoubtedly requires more solidarity among the GCC countries. He expressed delight that the GCC Summit will be held in Doha, calling it the "Summit of Joy" being held in an atmosphere of joy for maintaining the solidarity GCC countries and their adherence to the constants that combine all the GCC countries and their citizens over the years. It is the joy which the GCC peoples felt after reaching the Riyadh Supplementary Agreement during the GCC leaders meeting in Riyadh on November 16, held at the invitation of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. During the upcoming Doha Summit, the GCC leaders will focus on the critical situation and developments in the Arab region which have deep impact on the GCC security and stability, and on regional and international peace and security, especially in light of the increasing threat of extremist and terrorist organizations, the lack of a unified Arab stance, the unstable condition in some regional countries, the worsening humanitarian suffering of refugees and displaced persons in a number of Arab states and the growing regional interventions in Arab affairs. At the level of the GCC joint work, Al Zayani said that there are several important reports submitted by the ministerial committees and the General Secretariat of the Council in all security, military, economic and development fields will be presented to the summit. With regard to the GCC collective action to combat terrorism in the light of the counter-terrorism meeting which was held in Saudi Arabia last September, HE Al Zayani said that the GCC countries have taken a series of effective measures to combat acts of terrorism at all levels internally, regionally and internationally. At the internal level, the GCC countries issued laws and national legislations on combating and financing terrorism, including a security strategy to combat extremism and terrorism, and the GCC convention to fight terrorism, as well as the comprehensive cooperation and permanent coordination between the security agencies in the GCC countries in this area. At the international level, the GCC countries joined many international conventions and legal instruments in an effort to support the international efforts to combat terrorism. GCC countries also called in all regional and international forums to reject and combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, and emphasized that the fight against terrorism and eradication can only be achieved through an intensive international effort that commensurate with the gravity of the terrorist risk. Speaking about the developments in Yemen, HE the GCC Secretary General underlined that the GCC countries are fully committed to the unity of Yemen, respect its sovereignty and independence and reject any interference in its internal affairs. The GCC countries support peaceful dialogue away from the violence and chaos, and in this regard, the GCC countries support Yemeni President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi to complete the transition stage in accordance with the GCC initiative Speaking about the GCC economic cooperation, HE the Secretary General underlined that the GCC leaders attach great importance to the GCC railway network project for its direct positive impacts on enhancing communication and bonding between the GCC countries and their citizens, facilitating the movement of trade and citizens between the GCC countries and as well as supporting joint investments between GCC countries. He pointed out that significant progress and great strides have been made on the implementation path of the project. The member states had agreed, in coordination with the General Secretariat, on an action plan and a schedule for the completion of detailed engineering designs for the project. The project is expected to be fully implemented and operated during the 2018. On the GCC Interconnection Grid, Al Zayani said that the relevant committees are working on the project as recommended by the GCC leaders. Consultations are still underway between the member states to reach the best way to implement it on the ground, taking into account the requirements of the environment. Meanwhile, the GCC Secretary General said that the strategic dialogues conducted by the GCC countries with world countries and international conglomerates are important for the development of mutual relations, and consultation and coordination towards regional and international issues, stressing that these dialogues will help the GCC countries to explore opportunities and areas of cooperation with friendly countries. (QNA)