Bahrain hosts GCC foreign ministers virtual summit today

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Preparations are on track for the 41st Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit during which Bahrain will assume the presidency of the summit’s next session.

In preparation, Bahrain is also hosting an online meeting of the foreign ministers of the GCC, today. The crucial January 5 summit will be in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The GCC was founded in 1981 by Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabian King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud yesterday requested the GCC Secretary-General to formally invite Gulf leaders to the 41st GCC Summit in Riyadh.

GCC leaders have held the annual meeting to “discuss coordination, integration, and interconnection between the member States and their citizens in economic development, commerce, education, and culture.”

This time around, discussions are expected to focus on overcoming the economic challenges posed by the COVID-19 outbreak and Qatari dispute.

Ahead of the summit, Bahrain’s Supreme Defence Council chaired by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the Supreme Commander and President of the Supreme Defence Council, had called for “to end regional conflicts and disputes by peaceful means” in an apparent suggestion of the ongoing dispute with Qatar.

His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and Prime Minister was present at the meeting.

In another statement, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, has said that Bahrain “is looking forward to a Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) summit that will lead to strengthening Gulf dialogue to achieve the goals for the future.”

Earlier this month, Saudi foreign minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, has said: “significant progress” had been reached in the last few days, and he was optimistic all countries were close to finalising a resolution.

He said that the four governments behind the Qatar blockade are “on board” for discussion and a final agreement is expected soon. Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Egypt cut ties with Qatar in June 2017 for funding militant movements.