36th GCC Summit kick starts in Riyadh

RIYADH, 10th December, 2015 (WAM) Their Majesties and Highnesses leaders of the GCC began their 36th Summit in the Saudi Arabian capital of Riyadh yesterday. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, is heading the UAE delegation to the two-day summit. The Riyadh Summit, which is being convened at a time when both the region and the world were passing through a critical historic juncture, will discuss topics related to enhancement of GCC integration and co-operation and tackle unfolding regional and international developments. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud delivered the opening speech, the full text of which was carried by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA): In the name of Allah, most compassionate and merciful Grace and gratitude be to Allah and prayers and peace be upon our prophet Mohammad, and upon his family and all his companions. My Dear Brothers, Peace and blessings of Allah be upon you I am pleased to welcome you in your second state and wished you a pleasant stay. I ask Allah Almighty to crown our efforts with success. I express my deep thanks and appreciation of Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani of the State of Qatar for his successful efforts through his chairmanship of the Supreme Council at its previous session for enhancing the blessed march of the Gulf Cooperation Council. Dear brothers, The region is passed with very complicated conditions, challenges and ambitions which require us to stand and work together to continue to fortify our countries against foreign threats and extending a helping hand to our brothers in order to restore security and stability in addition to addressing challenges facing our Arab region and resolving their issues, including the Palestinian Cause and restoration of the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people to establish their independent state with Al-Quds as its capital. Regarding Yemen, the coalition countries are keen to achieve security and stability in Yemen under the leadership of its legitimate government. We, the GCC states, support a peaceful solution in order to enable Yemen overcoming the crisis and restoring its march towards construction and development. In the Syrian affairs, the Kingdom is hosting the Syrian opposition as a support of finding a political solution to guarantee the unity of the Syrian territory in accordance with the decisions of the (Geneva 1). All states in world must share responsibility in the fight against extremism and terrorism and elimination of whatever its source. The Kingdom exerts great efforts in combating terrorism and will continue its efforts in cooperation and coordination with the brotherly and friendly countries in this regard, stressing that terrorism has no religion. Our religion rejected terrorism. Our religion is a religion of moderation. My Dear Brothers, Our meeting today came following thirty-five years of the council's establishment. It is an appropriate time to assess the achievements and look forward to the future. With the council's achievements, our citizens are looking forward for tangible achievements. To achieve that, we are confident that we will exert all efforts to work to achieve concrete results in order to enhance the march of cooperation and coherence among our countries and support the status of the council at the international arenas. We have to find economic and social environment supporting the welfare of the citizens and work in accordance with the active foreign policy aiming to avert our countries of the regional conflicts and promote restoration of the security and stability for the neighbouring countries as well as to complete what we started to build a joint defence and security system for protecting the interests of our countries, peoples and gains. Qatari Emir His Highness Sheikh Tammim bin Hamad Al Thani, who is chairman of the 35th session of the GCC supreme council, expressed thanks to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for a warm hospitality, wishing all success and prosperity for the Kingdom under the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques. The Qatari Emir also thanked GCC Secretary General Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al-Zayani for his great efforts. 'We have to exert great efforts in light of critical circumstances, rapid changes and serious challenges facing the world generally and the Middle East particularly,' Sheikh Tammim said, adding that 'we have to enhance the joint cooperation in the political, economic and security fields for protecting interests of the our countries.' He highlighted that terrorism posed international threat requiring the international community to double efforts in combating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. The Qatari Emir highlighted the efforts exerted by the GCC council in supporting the Palestinian cause, denouncing the Israeli violent practices. Sheikh Tammim lauded the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's invitation to the Syrian opposition for holding a meeting in Riyadh. Regarding Yemen, the Qatari Emir stressed the GCC states' keenness in supporting security and stability in Yemen in addition to the legitimate government. Sheikh Tammim called upon the Libyan brother to bypass the current crisis. The region is passed with very complicated conditions, challenges and ambitions which require us to stand and work together to continue to fortify our countries against foreign threats and extending a helping hand to our brothers in order to restore security and stability in addition to addressing challenges facing our Arab region and resolving their issues, including the Palestinian Cause and restoration of the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people to establish their independent state with Al-Quds as its capital. Regarding Yemen, the coalition countries are keen to achieve security and stability in Yemen under the leadership of its legitimate government. We, the GCC states, support a peaceful solution in order to enable Yemen overcoming the crisis and restoring its march towards construction and development. In the Syrian affairs, the Kingdom is hosting the Syrian opposition as a support of finding a political solution to guarantee the unity of the Syrian territory in accordance with the decisions of the (Geneva 1). All states in world must share responsibility in the fight against extremism and terrorism and elimination of whatever its source. The Kingdom exerts great efforts in combating terrorism and will continue its efforts in cooperation and coordination with the brotherly and friendly countries in this regard, stressing that terrorism has no religion. Our religion rejected terrorism. Our religion is a religion of moderation. My Dear Brothers, Our meeting today came following thirty-five years of the council's establishment. It is an appropriate time to assess the achievements and look forward to the future. With the council's achievements, our citizens are looking forward for tangible achievements. To achieve that, we are confident that we will exert all efforts to work to achieve concrete results in order to enhance the march of cooperation and coherence among our countries and support the status of the council at the international arenas. We have to find economic and social environment supporting the welfare of the citizens and work in accordance with the active foreign policy aiming to avert our countries of the regional conflicts and promote restoration of the security and stability for the neighbouring countries as well as to complete what we started to build a joint defence and security system for protecting the interests of our countries, peoples and gains. GCC Secretary General Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al-Zayani delivered a speech in which he said 'We are confident that this session under the presidency of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will achieve the noble objectives sought by the GCC leaders to meet the aspirations and hopes of the citizens of the GCC countries'. Dr. Al-Zayani also said that 'This session is held while the region is witnessing serious challenges that require vigilance and hard work in order to preserve GCC achievements and to seek further integration and solidarity to achieve the hopes and aspirations of the GCC citizens.' GCC Secretary General Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al-Zayani announced the end of the opening session. Then, a closed session was held by GCC leaders and heads of delegations. – Emirates News Agency, WAM - http://www.wam.ae/en/news/emirates/1395289046578.html