The GCC summit called for greater regional economic integration as the meeting chaired by Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz came to a close in Riyadh on Tuesday.
The final statement, read by GCC General Secretary Abdullatif bin Rashid Al-Zayani, called for finalizing legislation for financial and monetary unity by 2025, according to the meeting's final communique.
The statement also called for boosting military and security cooperation to maintain regional security.
Zayani added that the main goal of the GCC is to achieve unity and cooperation among members and called on them to work with friendly states to face any military threats.
The 40th Supreme Council meeting was chaired by King Salman, who met the heads of each delegation as they landed.
They included the UAE Vice President and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa, Oman's Deputy Prime Minister for the Council of Ministers Fahd bin Mahmoud Al-Said and Qatar's Prime Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al-Thani.
Kuwait’s Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah said that a positive attitude was prevalent during the summit, adding that the countries are “satisfied with the positive and constructive steps that were made.”
King Salman welcomed the delegates of the GCC earlier on Tuesday for the annual summit.
During his opening speech, the Saudi King stressed that the Gulf countries must unite against the Iranian regime’s aggression in the region.
“The Iranian regime has continued its aggressive policies in the region that undermine the stability of neighboring countries,” King Salman said.
Since its establishment, the Saudi King said, the GCC has been able to overcome several crises that have hit the region.
He also called on the international community to take the necessary measures to ensure energy supplies and the freedom of maritime navigation is secured.
Ahead of the summit, the Ministers of Foreign Affairs from the Gulf countries arrived in the capital on Monday to hold a preparatory ministerial council meeting to set the agenda for the following day.
During the meeting, the Gulf foreign ministers approved the nomination of former Kuwaiti Finance Minister Nayef Al-Hajraf as the next secretary-general of the GCC.
His term will begin in April 2020 following the end of Zayani’s term.
