Dr. Al-Attiyah Opens GCC Consultative Authority Meeting

Doha, January 31 (QNA) - HE the Foreign Minister Dr. Khalid bin Mohamed Al-Attiyah said the Arab region is going through exceptional circumstances, internal challenges and external crises which are casting their dim shadows on the world, noting that facing such challenges and reduction of the impact of crises, require effective cooperation and integration among GCC states. Addressing the opening session of the GCC Consultative Authority meeting, held today at the Sheraton Doha Hotel, Dr. Al-Attiyah stressed that such cooperation and integration will fortify them and strengthen their economic, social, political and security fabric, protect their gains and fulfil the aspirations of their peoples to avoid any shocks or crises that will affect their drive and the well-being of their citizens. He expressed deep confidence that visions of the Authority's members which they will reach, will contribute to translating GCC objectives aimed at achieving development and progress in the states of the region, attaining the GCC peoples' progress and prosperity and support the decisions related to the GCC states joint action, underlie at the same time the strength of the march, enhance the presence of the GCC on the global map and contribute to expediting the implementation of the fateful decisions to face the challenges and developments in the region and their global and regional implications. "We in the ministerial council are confident that your esteemed authority represents one of the most important joints of the common action in the GGC organization and there is no doubt that your assignment by leaders of the GCC Supreme Council to study topics such as the ones that have been approved, confirms that the Supreme Council is supporting your authority's visualizations which will reflect the high scientific level of the authority's members and your accumulated experience, " HE the Foreign Minister said, adding "We are waiting for visions on the issues assigned to your authority at the last GCC Summit which was held in Doha in December last year, namely strengthening the partnership between the public and private sectors in the GCC countries, growth of GCC nationals' income and their well-being, the future of oil and gas as a source of wealth and energy in GCC states and the importance of maintaining them as a strategic, security and developmental choice.'' At the outset of his speech HE Al-Attiyah welcomed the GCC delegation on behalf of the leadership, government and people of the State of Qatar in their second homeland, wishing the esteemed authority every success in its work to reach, through its visions, all that would help in facing the global and regional challenges which have their impact on GCC states. For his part, GCC Secretary-General Dr. Abdul Latif bin Rahsid Al-Zayani expressed in a speech he gave at the meeting deep condolences on the death of King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud, praising the great efforts and endeavours he made to enhance the nation's unity, cohesion, struggle and support of its just causes and the humanity as a whole, in addition to his keenness on the GCC blessed drive and support of its objectives, call for the unity of GCC and enhancement of solidarity and integration out of his faith in the unity of destiny and the common interests and objectives of GCC peoples. Dr. Al-Zayani praised the State of Qatar's incessant support of the State of Qatar for the GCC joint action under the leadership of HH the Emir and Chairman of the 35th session of the GCC Supreme Council Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani. He also hailed the positive role played by the Consultative Authority through the studies and visions it presented about all the issues that it had been assigned by GCC leaders to study. The GCC Secretary-General meanwhile congratulated HE Mubarak bin Ali Al-Khater who has been chosen as chairman of the current session and also congratulated HE Sheikh Hamad bin Saud Al-Sayari who has been chosen as deputy chairman, expressing sincere appreciation to Abdullah Yaqoub Bishara, who chaired the Consultative Authority's 17th session, for the effort he made and his keenness to follow up its affairs. For his part, Chairman of the Consultative Authority GCC Mubarak bin Ali Al Khater said that leaders of the Council were keen on supporting the Consultative Authority. He added that such supports puts more responsibility on the shoulders of the authority. The Consultative Authority is charged with studying three topics: enhancing cooperation between GCC members, improving income for GCC citizens and finally, plotting out the future of oil and gas as a source of wealth for the GCC members. The Authority was also charged with coming up with a plan for maintaining the use of energy resources in a strategic and developmental manner. In conclusion of his speech, Al Khater thanked the GCC for its support to the Authority. He stressed that they will work on advancing GCC relations in all fields. (END)