The United Arab Emirates has reiterated its support for joint Gulf action and its keenness to continue working with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries to complement political, economic, security and regional integration.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said in a statement that “since the establishment of the GCC system and the launch of its march from the capital Abu Dhabi on May 25, 1981, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan has attached great importance to strengthening the relationship with the Gulf Arab countries in order to cooperate and coordinate on common issues and concerns that prevailed in the Gulf region. At the same time, Sheikh Zayed was keen to promote brotherly ties with the Gulf states and to enhance all forms of cooperation.”
Following the footsteps of the Founding Father, President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, also reaffirmed the UAE's continued support for joint GCC action, noting that UAE leaders “are keen to continue working with their brothers in the Gulf States to complement political, economic, security and regional integration.”
"The UAE is an oasis of safety and stability for all residents and visitors, especially from the GCC countries. The total number of Gulf residents in the country reached about 797,000, while the health and education services are at the forefront of the UAE's interests towards GCC residents and visitors during 2018," the statement added.
The statement further stressed that 2018 - 'Year of Zayed’ - was a year of great achievements and qualitative initiatives for GCC residents, whereby the number of Gulf students in the UAE reached nearly 30,000 students in all emirates, while the number of beneficiaries of healthcare services available to members of the GCC countries reached to more than 65,000, with a total of more than 414,000 visits to health facilities in the country.
