GCC leaders convene in Saudi Arabia for summit, sign statement

Leaders and heads of delegations from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states convened in AlUla governorate in the region of Madinah, in Saudi Arabia ahead of the 41st session of the Supreme Council of the GCC today.

Heads of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states delegations stand for a group photo prior to the beginning of the 41st GCC Summit in Saudi Arabia. #UAE pic.twitter.com/dH308PtqrX

— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) January 5, 2021

The GCC summit began with an address by Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, who said: “This summit [is to] be called as the summit of Sultan Qaboos and Sheikh Sabah.”

سمو #ولي_العهد: عرفاناً لما قدماه من أعمال جليلة عبر عقود من الزمن في دعم مسيرة المجلس المباركة؛ فقد وجه سيدي خادم الحرمين الشريفين بتسمية هذه القمة بمسمى (قمة السلطان قابوس والشيخ صباح) سائلين المولى -عز وجل- لهما الرحمة والمغفرة.#القمة_الخليجية_في_العلا#GulfSummitInAlUla#واس

— واس الأخبار الملكية (@spagov) January 5, 2021

Leaders and representatives of the GCC states also signed the AlUla agreement.

#عاجل
قادة ورؤساء وفود دول مجلس التعاون لدول الخليج العربية يوقعون البيان الختامي و #بيان_العلا.#القمة_الخليجية_في_العلا #واس pic.twitter.com/m8Ud5SBizW

— واس الأخبار الملكية (@spagov) January 5, 2021

UAE: Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, arrived this afternoon to attend the session.

Dr Anwar Mohammed Gargash, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, said: “A new bright chapter has been just opened from the Maraya Hall in AlUla.”

من قاعة المرايا في العُلا تبدأ صفحة جديدة مشرقة pic.twitter.com/zSz9l68EFX

— د. أنور قرقاش (@AnwarGargash) January 5, 2021

Oman: Deputy Prime Minister and head of the delegation, Sayyid Fahd bin Mahmoud Al-Said said that current changes and developments at regional and international arenas require unity and identifying the best ways to deal with challenges in order to preserve the interests of the region, Saudi Press Agency reported.

He also praised many achievements of the GCC in all domains, stressing that the sultanate will continue its support for the GCC, expressing Oman’s appreciation to the government and people of Saudi Arabia.

Kuwait: Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Amir of Kuwait, expressed sincere appreciation for fraternal deep-rooted relations between Saudi Arabia and Kuwait and their people.

Bahrain: Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain said: “It is our pleasure to arrive in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia, on behalf of King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, to participate in the 41st Gulf Cooperation Council Summit meeting and we express our deepest thanks to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, for his keenness to enhance joint cooperation.

“As we renew our thanks and appreciation for the great efforts made by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in promoting the Gulf Cooperation Council, we express our wishes for the success of this summit, and for its outputs to meet the aspirations of the citizens of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, and contribute to achieving further growth and prosperity.”

Qatar: Qatar’s ruler landed in Saudi Arabia to a warm embrace from host Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, hours after their nations re-established travel ties and eased a regional dispute. Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani is attending the summit for the first time since a 2017 row that cut trade, travel and diplomatic ties with Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt.

#فيديو |
وصول سمو أمير دولة قطر إلى محافظة #العلا وفي مقدمة مستقبليه سمو #ولي_العهد. #القمة_الخليجية_في_العلا#واس pic.twitter.com/YAYItrjBZk

— واس الأخبار الملكية (@spagov) January 5, 2021

Saudi Arabia reopened its air, land and sea borders with Qatar earlier this week.

Read: Saudi Arabia reopens airspace, land and sea borders to Qatar

Egypt has agreed in principle to open its airspace for Qatari planes and will do so if unspecified conditions are met, Saudi-backed Al Arabiya TV reported.

The Gulf Cooperation Council comprises Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the UAE.

With inputs from Bloomberg