Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman speaks during the Gulf Cooperation Council's (GCC) 41st Summit in Al-Ula, Saudi Arabia January 5, 2021. Bandar Algaloud
Al-Ula: Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia HRH Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud stressed that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia prioritises a unified and solid Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), in addition to strengthening the Arab and Islamic cooperation in a way that serves the security, stability, and prosperity of our countries and the region.
This came in a speech by His Royal Highness during the 41st session of the GCC Supreme Council at Maraya Center in Al-Ula governorate in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
While welcoming the guests at the outset of his speech, he said: "We miss this year two great leaders who had a significant role in supporting the joint Gulf action, HM Sultan Qaboos bin Said and HH Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad. In recognition of their great efforts over decades in the support of the Gulf Cooperation Council, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques directed that this summit shall be named (the Summit of Sultan Qaboos and Sheikh Sabah).
He added: "We express great thanks and appreciation for the efforts to bridge the gap, as these efforts were led by HH Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad and continued by HH Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad." He also hailed endeavors of the United States of America and all parties that have contributed, adding these efforts led to Al-Ula Declaration which affirms the importance of the solidarity and stability in the Gulf, Arab and Islamic countries and strengthens the bonds of friendship and brotherhood among our countries and peoples in order to serve their aspirations.
"This entity has been established based on the special relationship among our countries and common denominators, including the bonds of faith, kinship, and our peoples' common destiny. From this standpoint, we have to realize the high goals and foundations on which the Council is based to continue the march and achieve integration in all fields."
In this regard, he referred to the vision of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to strengthen integration among the GCC states, which was approved by the Supreme Council in the thirty-sixth session, and the progress it has witnessed in implementing its contents over the past years, while emphasizing the importance of increasing efforts to complete the remaining steps towards achieving that vision.
The Saudi Crown Prince concluded his speech by saying: "The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's firm and continuous policy, future plans, and ambitious development vision (the Kingdom Vision 2030) prioritizes a unified and solid Gulf Cooperation Council, in addition to strengthening the Arab and Islamic cooperation in a way that serves the security, stability, and prosperity of our countries and the region."
