Commenting on the issue, the UAE’s Al Bayan said that every step taken towards achieving integration and unity between GCC countries will be warmly welcomed by Gulf citizens, who have always expressed their desire to bolster areas of cooperation between their nations.

“Their Highnesses the Gulf Rulers are keen on preserving the GCC’s march, overcoming any obstacles and taking the Gulf ship to safety. This bodes well, indicating that steps are being taken to consolidate unity in order to confront current challenges. Economic challenges are not any less important than matters pertaining to security, especially in light of the ongoing decline in oil prices and its affects on the future of the economic development process. The time has come for increasing steps towards economic integration.”

In its take on the matter, the pan-Arab London-based Asharq Al Awsat noted: “You cannot just ignore the unfolding events in the Gulf, playing for time and waiting for a solution to make itself known. It is impossible for Gulf States to be strong and stable while suffering from deep internal wounds ... They must resolve their differences irrevocably through a clear, explicit and transparent commitment to their people. The greatest threat is that some of these differences to be resolved only for others to remain. Can an open wound be healed?”

Qatar’s Al Sharq newspaper said that the summit of fraternity and cooperation turned a new page in GCC relations, as well as its joint path that is based on solidarity and cooperation, but is surrounded by challenges. “The final communique of the summit, the declaration of Doha and the UN honouring Kuwaiti Emir Shaikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jaber as a humanitarian leader — all these things emphasise that Gulf leaders gathered in Doha [were] united and determined to implement a new vision for cooperation between GCC countries as per a unified security, economic and political agenda.”

The resolutions included in the final communique of the 35th GCC Summit in Doha take into consideration the fact that Gulf interests are a part of Arab, regional and global interests, said Oman’s Al Watan. “This is the main driving force behind the GCC, and at the same time, it places some commitments upon Gulf countries, such as providing an environment of stability for the progress that is currently in full swing in all GCC nations. Despite the optimism that surrounded the Doha declaration on Tuesday night, the Gulf citizens are still pinning their hopes on the success of the GCC’s march and work on a comprehensive vision that puts in place more resolutions to preserve the fundamental principles on which the GCC was founded.”

Writing in Saudi Arabia’s Arab News, Mohammad Fahad Al Harthi said this is clearly not a time for overzealous nationalist fervour. “Those who are opposed to the GCC unity initiative, because it might impact on national sovereignty, should study the example of the European Union, which, despite its flaws, has achieved a working system for disparate states. There were inevitable sacrifices of some sovereignty for the common good in the EU, based on a great deal of political maturity ... It is this same level of understanding that is currently being displayed by GCC leaders.”