Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) leaders pose for a group picture during a GCC summit in the Bahraini capital yesterday

37th GCC Summit begins in Manama

06th, December 2016

MANAMA: The GCC leaders began deliberations of the 37th GCC Summit at Al Sakhir Palace in Manama on Tuesday. The Sultanate’s delegation is led on behalf of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos by His Highness Sayyid Fahd bin Mahmood al Said, Deputy Prime Minister for the Council of Ministers. The two-day summit started with a speech by King Hamad bin Issa al Khalifa of Bahrain. The GCC leaders will discuss several political, security and economic subjects that would enhance the cooperation and integration among the GCC states for the welfare and prosperity of peoples in the region.

Earlier, King Hamad bin Issa al Khalifa of Bahrain welcomed His Highness Sayyid Fahd upon his arrival at Al Sakhir Air Base in Bahrain. Sayyid Fahd was also received by Prince Khalifa bin Salman al Khalifa, Prime Minister, Prince Salman bin Hamad al Khalifa, Crown Prince of the Kingdom of Bahrain, Dr Abdul Latif bin Rashid al Zayani, GCC Secretary-General, Sheikh Khalid bin Abdullah al Khalifa, Deputy Prime Minister, Head of the Mission of Honour, senior officials at the Government of Bahrain, Abdullah bin Rashid al Medelwi, Sultanate’s Ambassador to Bahrain and members of the Sultanate’s Embassy in Bahrain.

Boost to relations with Saudi Arabia

MANAMA: The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz al Saud of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) received in his palace at Al Sakhir Palace on Tuesday His Highness Sayyid Fahd bin Mahmood al Said, Deputy Prime Minister for the Council of Ministers, on the sidelines of the 37th GCC Leaders’ Summit, in Manama. The meeting discussed the fraternal cooperation relations between the Sultanate and KSA, and means of enhancing and promoting them in various spheres. The meeting also discussed a number of topics related to the GCC march.

During the meeting, HH Sayyid Fahd conveyed greetings of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques along with His Majesty’s best wishes of good health and well-being to King Salman and the brotherly KSA people further progress and welfare. On his turn, King Salman asked HH Sayyid Fahd to convey his greetings and best wishes to His Majesty the Sultan and the Omani people further progress and prosperity under the wise leadership of His Majesty. The meeting was attended by members of the official delegation accompanying HH Sayyid Fahd and members of the official delegation accompanying the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques.

Kuwait Amir calls for concerted response to int’l changes

British PM joins Gulf summit for post-Brexit talks

MANAMA: HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah said yesterday the Gulf Cooperation Council summit comes amid rapid international changes and critical conditions that necessitate continuing consultations and joint coordination to consider and preclude relevant reflections on GCC countries. Addressing the 37th GCC summit in Manama, the Amir said that the region is currently faced with grave challenges, where on the economic front, dwindling oil prices are a major concern.

HH the Amir also added that there needs to be a shift in national ideologies, together with fresh fields of cooperation in order to cope with these challenges. He spoke of notable achievements brought about by joint GCC work, which includes economic gains that represent the aspirations of GCC citizens. He also highlighted the need for increased strategies to bolster GCC cooperation in an effort to amass further accomplishments that will reinforce solidarity among the Gulf nations.

Moreover, on the scourge of terrorism, Sheikh Sabah said that it poses a threat to regional security and stability, which calls for concerted efforts to eliminate this mounting threat. On Yemen, HH the Amir recounted that Kuwait had hosted peace talks that aimed to restore peace in the war-torn nation, lamenting that the warring parties failed to reconcile, which induced further bloodshed.

On Syria, the Amir said that the GCC commiserates with the people of Syria, underscoring firm support of a political solution to a conflict that has remained unabated. Speaking on developments in Iraq, the Amir expressed satisfaction over the progress made in the fight against the so-called Islamic State (IS), as he wished the country a prosperous and bright future. On the Palestinian conflict, HH Sheikh Sabah regretted that efforts to establish peace remain at an impasse, noting that the international community is preoccupied with other issues.

Meanwhile, speaking on ties with Iran, HH the Amir said there needs to be constructive dialogue between the GCC and the Islamic Republic, noting that the talks should center on abidance by international law, including sovereign rights. The Amir also urged Tehran to cease meddling in the internal affairs of other nations, noting that the agenda of this GCC summit includes numerous pivotal issues.

Meanwhile, British Prime Minister Theresa May was to meet Gulf leaders for talks on trade ties after Britain leaves the European Union. King Salman of Gulf heavyweight Saudi Arabia opened the summit with a call for “doubling of efforts” to face regional challenges. May was expected to meet the leaders later yesterday before addressing the summit today, when she will become the first British premier and the first woman to attend the annual gathering of the six oil-rich GCC states.

Defense ties are also expected to be high on the agenda as Britain builds a new naval base in Bahrain. May’s two-day visit comes as her government faces mounting domestic criticism that it has not done enough to avoid post-Brexit disruption to British trade, which is currently carried out under EU agreements.

“I will have the opportunity to talk to all six leaders about how we can develop our trade relationship, as well as cooperation on security and defense,” May said before arriving in Manama late on Monday. Her office said May will discuss possibilities for post-Brexit free trade arrangements with the GCC states – Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. “As the UK leaves the EU, we should seize the opportunity to forge a new trade arrangement between the UK and the Gulf,” the British premier said.

Ahead of the summit, May yesterday met King Salman, Bahrain’s King Hamad, HH the Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah and UAE Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum. In October last year, Britain began building a naval base at Mina Salman, outside Manama, its first new permanent base in the Middle East in four decades. May told 300 Royal Navy officers aboard HMS Ocean that she wanted to “step up our defense and security cooperation to keep British citizens safe at home and abroad”. Britain’s force already stationed in Bahrain was “a clear demonstration of the UK’s enduring security commitment to the Gulf”, she said.

UK PM addresses final session of 37th GCC Summit   

MANAMA-- British Prime Minister Theresa May on Wednesday conveyed a strong forceful message on the UK's commitment to security in the Gulf, reiterating the long time-tested relations with the region, dating back to more than 200 years.

"Gulf security is our security," she told the final session of the 37th GCC Summit in Manama, Bahrain.

"Extremists plotting terror attacks here in this region are not only targeting the Gulf but, as we have seen, targeting the streets of Europe too," she said.

May noted that the battle against the so-called Islamic State (IS/Daesh) in Iraq and Syria is making progress, and in light of the current operations in Mosul, the "days of Daesh as an occupying force are numbered." She said that she was very grateful for the special honor of addressing the GCC leaders, saying that the two sides have "a rich history on which to build. From the very first treaties, in the mid-17th century." On Iran, the British Premier assured the leaders that the UK is "clear-eyed about the threat that Iran poses to the Gulf and the wider Middle East.

"The UK is fully committed to our strategic partnership with the Gulf and working with you to counter that threat," she said.

Referring to the nuclear deal between Tehran and the world power (5+1 group) said: "That was vitally important for regional security. But we must also work together to push back against Iran's aggressive regional actions, whether in Lebanon, Iraq, Yemen, Syria or in the Gulf itself." Cooperation on counter-terrorism between the two sides has led to "foiling terrorist plots and a range of threats against citizens in all our countries. For example, intelligence we have received in the past from Saudi Arabia has saved potentially hundreds of lives in the UK," she said.

The UK stands here today seeking not just to reaffirm a relationship that is of great historic value but to renew a partnership that is absolutely fundamental to our shared future, May pointed out.

As part of a renewed partnership Britain is seeking forge with the bloc, the UK "will make a more permanent and more enduring commitment to the long-term security of the Gulf," she said.

Referring to bilateral economic relations, the Premier said: "For just as Gulf security is our security, so your prosperity is also our prosperity." She explained that the Gulf is already a special market for her country. Last year alone, trade between the UK and GCC was worth more than 30 billion Sterling. She also highlighted the huge Gulf investments in the UK "helping to regenerate cities from Aberdeen to Teesside, and from Manchester to London." "I am determined that we should do everything possible to build on this and elevate our trade and investment to an even more ambitious level," she said.

May referred to the Joint Working Group the two sides agreed on Tuesday to set up, to examine how the two sides "unblock remaining barriers to trade and take steps to further liberalise our economies for the benefit of our mutual prosperity. ' The Prime Minister said that they have just reached a new agreement with Saudi Arabia to allow British businesses to obtain 5-year multiple entry visas for the first time, creating new opportunities for more bilateral business.

In was also agreed that in March 2017, the UK will host an event on Gulf national transformation and economic diversification plans at the Mansion House - for centuries, a home of finance and trade at the heart of the City of London.

She also confirmed that the UK will take part in Dubai's "Expo 2020" continuing the tradition started in Britain with The Great Exhibition of the Works of Industry of All Nations in Hyde Park in 1851.

In addition, May said she wanted today's Manama talks at official level to pave the way for an ambitious trade arrangement for when the UK has left the EU. Meanwhile, May is looking forward to the next chapter of the Manama Dialogue run by the UK's International Institute for Strategic Studies which the Foreign Secretary will attend later this week. "This vital strategic relationship between the UK and the Gulf - a partnership steeped in so much history and so full of potential for our future - now demands even more concentrated efforts," she said.

In the face of some of the greatest challenges to our security and our prosperity, we will succeed together. We will succeed through our continued commitment to the rules-based order on which our prosperity has been built. And we will succeed by deepening our security cooperation, expanding our trade and working harder than ever to build economies and societies that work for everyone," she concluded.

His Highness Sayyid Fahd bin Mahmood al Said in Manama on Tuesday.

Sayyid Fahd represents His Majesty Sultan Qaboos

His Highness Sayyid Fahd said: “It gives me an honour to take part, on behalf of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos, to lead the Sultanate’s delegation at GCC summit, and convey greetings of His Majesty to the GCC leaders and their representatives, along with best wishes of success for the conference to achieve its goals. The GCC march has led to positive achievements in several domains, thanks to the wisdom of the GCC leaders in enhancing mechanisms of the joint action for the interest of all citizens. “The GCC states have accorded more attention to all development areas, the foremost of which is human development whose pillar is the GCC youth to encourage their positive participation in several sectors, invest their innovative capacities, as well as their visions to effectively contribute in continuing the march of growth and prosperity.
“The approach to further develop fields of economic cooperation and activating them is a leading step for upgrading mechanisms of joint action, enhancing the GCC relations with the international groups due to their positive returns on rates of growth for the interest of citizens in this promising region. Oman, its leadership and people renew their full support for the success of all efforts targeting the support of the GCC march to achieve ambitions of present and successive generations, praying to Allah the Almighty to grant these meetings success to realise joint supreme interests.
While the Sultanate expresses with gratitude its utmost appreciation to Bahrain for its wise leadership, it hails its good endeavours in supporting the GCC understanding and cooperation, praying to Allah the Almighty to bestow further progress and welfare on all GCC peoples”.
His Highness Sayyid Fahd is accompanied by an official delegation comprising Yusuf bin Alawi bin Abdallah, Minister Responsible for Foreign Affairs, Dr Mohammed bin Hamad al Rumhy, Minister of Oil and Gas, Dr Fuad bin Jaafar al Sajwani, Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, and government officials.
Earlier, on behalf of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos, HH Sayyid Fahd left Muscat on Tuesday heading to Bahrain to lead the Sultanate’s delegation in the 37th GCC Leaders’ Summit.
This participation stems from the Sultanate’s belief, under the leadership of His Majesty the Sultan, on the importance of meetings that gather brothers to discuss all matters, which contribute in enhancing the cooperation march and meet further hopes and aspirations of the GCC peoples.
HH Sayyid Fahd was seen off at the Royal Airport by Dr Ali bin Masoud al Sunaidy, Minister of Commerce and Industry, Shaikh Saif bin Mohammed al Shabibi, Minister of Housing, Shaikh Al Fadhl bin Mohammed al Harthy, Secretary-General of the Council of Ministers, Dr Ahmed bin Mohammed al Futaisi, Minister of Transport and Communications, Shaikh Khalid bin Omar al Marhoon, Minister of Civil Service, Sayyid Saud bin Hilal al Busaidy, Minister of State and Governor of Muscat and Charge D’affaires of the of Bahraini Embassy.

Mohammed bin Rashid chairs UAE delegation at 37th GCC Summit

MANAMA: Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, chaired the UAE delegation during the 37th Summit of the Gulf Cooperation Council for Arab States (GCC), which started here on Tuesday afternoon.