KUWAIT, Dec 5 (KUNA) -- The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) will kick off its 38th summit hosted by Kuwait on Tuesday amid aspirations to maintain further stability, security and integration amongst its member nations.
The participants are set to discuss several matters at the two-day session, including regional and international developments, particularly political and security challenges, which urge the doubling of efforts aimed at integration and responding to the hopes and aspirations of their peoples.
Earlier on Monday, the 144th Ministerial Council session, chaired by the First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, was held in preparation for the leaders' summit a day later.
Speaking to the ministers in his opening speech, Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled underlined that the GCC was an ongoing project that brings together the shared determination of its member nations to build a nationalist united Gulf front that gains strength from its principles, is advanced in its development, changes according to fast-paced global developments and is generous in its contributions to humanity.
Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled also underlined the importance of the talks in maintaining the bloc's cooperation and joint action for the benefit of its peoples and to face challenges that threaten the region's security and stability.
In his own speech, GCC Secretary General Abdullatif Al-Zayani said that strategic ties, linking the six-nation bloc, must continue to address current and future challenges.
His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah's strong support to the GCC's stability, security and cooperation is a clear example of Kuwait's generosity and its supportive stance, said Al-Zayani.
Ahead of the meeting, Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled received the ministers and representatives of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Oman upon their arrival in the country.
Furthermore, the UAE's State Minister for Foreign Affairs Anwar Qarqash tweeted, "happy to be present in the brotherly nation of Kuwait - the land of the noble Al-Sabah family and their loyal people. Kuwait remains dear to the hearts of the Emirati people always and forever." (end) sd