Leaders of Gulf nations on Wednesday stated their commitment to joint defence and shared economic strategies at a summit in Bahrain.
“The security and prosperity of the Gulf states are indivisible,” King Hamad of Bahrain said at the opening session of the 46th Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) summit, hosted by his country for the eighth time.
“We reaffirm our joint commitment to addressing regional issues through dialogue,” he added.
Kuwait’s Emir, Sheikh Meshal, said “any aggression against one state in this council is considered aggression against the entire council”.
The statements came hours after GCC Secretary General Jasem Al Budaiwi said Gulf states are focused on finalising a joint defensive air shield “in the near future”.
He added that the meeting in Bahrain is “extremely important”, given the unprecedented attacks on Qatar earlier this year by Iran and Israel.
During another session, Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni — invited as a special guest — said her country wants to deepen economic and diplomatic ties with the GCC. The Bahraini King and the GCC Secretary General echoed the same commitment.
Gulf leaders then held closed-door talks, after which a final communique was issued, underscoring the principle that a security threat to one member state is a security threat to all.
Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, UAE Vice President and Deputy Prime Minister, upon arrival, at Sakhir Air Base. Eissa Al Hammadi / UAE Presidential Court
The six member states have been keen to project alignment on major issues, even as they maintain different approaches on several key areas.
In the communique, Gulf leaders affirmed their commitment to completing the path of integration and joint Gulf co-operation, stressing the need to accelerate efforts in this regard.
They un
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