Fifth Decade of GCC to Focus on Economy, Says Hajraf

Archive photo of the founding meeting of the GCC. (SPA)
Archive photo of the founding meeting of the GCC. (SPA)
TT

Fifth Decade of GCC to Focus on Economy, Says Hajraf

Archive photo of the founding meeting of the GCC. (SPA)
Archive photo of the founding meeting of the GCC. (SPA)

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is moving forward steadily and will focus in its fifth decade on economic matters, said GCC Secretary-General Nayef al-Hajraf on Sunday.

The GCC will work on bolstering and supporting joint action to help restore economic growth, return life to normal after the pandemic and achieve sustainable development goals, he explained in a press statement before the council summit scheduled for Saudi Arabia’s AlUla on Tuesday.

He said that the fact that the summit was being held despite the extraordinary conditions imposed by the coronavirus pandemic underscores the role its leaders play in preserving it as a cohesive system that can overcome challenges and bolster its integration efforts in all fields.

Hajraf noted Saudi Arabia’s chairing of the G20 presidency for 2020 and its ability to lead the global group to boost international cooperation.

Today the Kingdom is preparing to host the 41st GCC summit, which will stress the importance of bolstering Gulf cooperation and integration in all fields, he continued.

He hoped the summit would help push joint Gulf action forward, enhance the security and stability of GCC countries and realize their people’s aspirations for greater cooperation and integration.

The council has implemented several integrative projects over the past four decades, Hajraf noted. They include the establishment of the GCC common market, customs union, the interconnection grid and free capital movement that are the foundation for the “next stage of the bloc’s march to build a bright future.”



Saudi Foreign Minister Participates in Quadripartite Meeting on Sudan

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah participated Monday in the Quadripartite meeting on Sudan. SPA
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah participated Monday in the Quadripartite meeting on Sudan. SPA
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Saudi Foreign Minister Participates in Quadripartite Meeting on Sudan

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah participated Monday in the Quadripartite meeting on Sudan. SPA
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah participated Monday in the Quadripartite meeting on Sudan. SPA

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah participated Monday in the Quadripartite meeting on Sudan with the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, and the United States on the sidelines of his participation in the expanded session of the second Group of Seven (G7) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting held in Fiuggi, Italy.

The meeting discussed developments in the Sudanese crisis and the need to unify efforts to reach an immediate ceasefire, work to calm the situation and enhance humanitarian efforts.

The meeting also addressed implementing the Jeddah Declaration regarding the protection of civilians and supporting an inter-Sudanese political process that ensures Sudan's stability and preserves its sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity.

The meeting was attended by the Saudi Ambassador to Italy, Prince Faisal bin Sattam bin Abdulaziz.