Kuwait Emir expresses appreciation for Egyptian role in backing regional security in GCC summit

CAIRO – 5 January 2021: Emir of Kuwait Nawaf Al Ahmed Al Jaber Al-Sabah expressed Tuesday appreciation for the Egyptian role in backing matters pertinent to the region's security welcoming Egypt's Foreign Minister Sameh Shokry.

That was in his speech at the 41st Summit of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) held in Saudi Arabia's Al Ola town.

The summit is also attended by Emirati Prime Minister and Emir of Dubai Mohamed Bin Rashed Al Maktoum; Crown Prince of Bahrain Salman; Omani Deputy Prime Minister Fahd Bin Mahmoud Al Said; Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad; and, GCC Secretary-General Abdullatif Bin Rashed Al Zayani.

In his speech, Saudi Crown Prince Mohamed Bin Salman thanked Kuwait and the United States for brokering rapprochement among Gulf States. It is noted that King Salman of Saudi Arabia did not attend.  

The Saudi Arabia Crown Prince urged concerting efforts to "confront threats posed by the Iranian nuclear program and balisstic missile program," as reported by BBC Arabic. 

The attendees signed the final statement asserting solidarity and stability. A joint press conference by the GCC's secretary general and Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Faisal Bin Farhan Al Saud is scheduled to be held to present the summit's outcomes.

Saudi Arabia announced Monday that it resumed aviation with Qatar as well as opening urban borders with the fellow Gulf state. That came after three years and a half after the Arab quartet – Egypt, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Bahrain – severed diplomatic ties with Qatar on June 5, 2017 for funding terrorism.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shokry arrived in Saudi Arabia's Ola town to attend the 41st Summit of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) taking place Tuesday, Spokesperson Ahmed Hafez stated.

Hafez had earlier affirmed that Egypt always supports honest efforts deployed to maintain Arab unity and achieve reconciliation in a way that achieves constructive cooperation and preserves the interests of all parties.

For that to be accomplished, the principles of not meddling with Arab states' internal affairs, and combating threats to Arab peoples and states' security and stability must be fulfilled, the spokesperson underlined.