Saudi Arabia to Host 41st GCC Summit Tomorrow

Saudi Arabia is set to host the 41st Gulf Cooperation Countries (GCC) summit tomorrow, Tuesday, in Al Ula Governorate, at the invitation of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.

This current summit will be exceptional and unprecedented in terms of its importance, timing, and the files discussed.

In this regard, GCC secretary-general Nayef Al Hajraf said that the convening of the summit despite the exceptional circumstances the world is going through, confirms the keenness of GCC member states on maintaining the council as a cohesive system capable of overcoming difficulties and challenges.

Moreover, he shed the light on the GCC's key achievements like, the common Gulf market, the customs union, the power grid, the free movement of capital, and many other benefits enjoyed by the citizens of the GCC that lay the foundation towards a bright future.

In light of the Kingdom of Bahrain's current presidency of the 41st GCC session, Arab Parliament speaker Adel Abdul-Rahman Al-Asoumi appreciated the pioneering role of Bahraini King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa in supporting the march of Gulf interdependence and cohesion as well as consolidating the foundations of joint Gulf action in all areas.

Arab-Gulf Reconciliation

Kuwait has since been trying to meditate for a solution to end the rift between the Arab Quartet and Doha.

In 2017, the Arab Quartet which consists of Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and the UAE cut diplomatic and transportation links with Qatar, accusing it of supporting militant groups.

Qatar has been officially invited to attend the upcoming GCC Summit, amid the efforts to resolve the rift.

Egypt's position towards proposed reconciliation

Last Thursday, Egypt announced its terms to resume normal relations with Qatar.

The official spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ahmed Hafez said that Egypt always supports sincere efforts to preserve the unity of the Arab ranks.

“Egypt always seeks to reach reconciliation between the Arab Quartet on one hand and Qatar on the other hand,” he added.

The desired reconciliation should restore cohesion within the Arab house and allows constructive cooperation and preserves the interests of all parties,” Hafez noted.

In this context, the spokesman stressed the importance of having sincere intentions to achieve true reconciliation that would restore Arab relations to their normal sphere.

He also affirmed that “The reconciliation must preserve common interests, maintain the principles of commitment not to interfere in internal affairs, confront everything that may threaten the security and stability of Arab countries and peoples and preserve the Arab national security.”