GCC leaders laud Kuwait Amir efforts to mend Gulf rift - Al-Zayani

RIYADH, Dec 10 (KUNA) -- GCC leaders laud devoted efforts of His Highness the Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah to mend the Gulf rift, Secretary General Abdulatif A-Zayani said Tuesday.
His remarks came during a joint press conference with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal Bin Farhan at the conclusion of the 40th Gulf summit here; as he added that, "the Supreme Council expressed support for those efforts and the significance for them to continue," a statement echoed by the Saudi top diplomat, who added that the "four countries" do support His Highness the Amir's efforts in this regard.
Al-Zayani voiced the GCC's keenness on unity among its members, with the mutual goal of achieving more coordination and collaboration on all levels.
He pointed to the Supreme Council leaders' affirmation of the necessity of implementing all decisions and agreements concluded within the framework of the GCC and commitment to its contents, indicating that the Supreme Council expressed satisfaction over progress made in implementing the vision of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman Bin Abdulaziz to enhance Gulf joint action.
Al-Zayani also noted that the Supreme Council adopted the recommendations of the Joint Defense Council at its 16th session, blessing the establishment of the Gulf Academy for Defense and Security Studies and the adoption of its financial budget, as well as welcoming the opening of the official headquarters of the International Alliance for the Protection and the Safety of Maritime Navigation and ensuring the safety of sea routes, in the Kingdom of Bahrain in November 2019; confirming enhanced security and protection of maritime navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, the Sea of Oman and Bab Al-Mandab Strait.
The Council also adopted the recommendations of the interior ministers at their 36th meeting, and blessed the holding of the joint security exercise 'Arab Gulf Security 2' in the UAE, next year, he said.
Regarding the field of economic, development and legislative affairs, Al-Zayani clarified that the Supreme Council approved the unified public system for real estate owners, the amendment to the Trademarks Law and the document on environmental orientations for the states of the GCC for 2020, the new cultural strategy for the countries of the Council 2020-2030, and the strategy for joint action in the field of work and manpower, and the guide to the best experiences in the field of housing financing and the internal organization of the Center for Translation, Arabization, and pay interest in the Arabic language.
He added that the Council also approved the studies used by the advisory body of the Supreme Council and decided to approve them and refer them to the relevant committees and bodies to benefit from them and instruct the General Secretariat to follow up that.
Al-Zayani indicated that the Supreme Council welcomed the holding of the GCC 41st session in the Kingdom of Bahrain, and approved the nomination of the State of Kuwait to Dr. Nayef Al-Hajraf, to take over the position of the Secretary General of the GCC, as of April 1, 2020.
On his part, Prince Faisal Bin Farhan disclosed that GCC leaders discussed a number of issues that aim to achieve integration and interdependence among member states in all fields and to maintain the gains made since the establishment of the Council, including the leaders' assertion on the importance of the strength, cohesion and solidity of the GCC joint action. (end) mdm.amn.hb