GCC 'will take constructive decisions'

Riyadh: President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan yesterday expressed confidence that the 27th GCC summit would come out with constructive resolutions regarding current regional and international developments.

In a statement following his arrival here to participate in the GCC summit, Shaikh Khalifa said the summit would also issue important resolutions conducive to boosting the GCC joint action and GCC institutions in order to meet the aspirations of the people for more prosperity and stability.

"The dangerous challenges our region is facing as well as the new developments and their repercussions on the security and stability of the region and the world at large place a heavy responsibility on our shoulders. This calls for unified vision and harmonised stances," Shaikh Khalifa said.

Shaikh Khalifa said he was pleased with what had been achieved since the 26th summit in Abu Dhabi last December.

He said achievements were made in the areas of economy, monetary, security and military.

He said of these, the formation of a committee to combat terrorism, conclusion of a treaty for extradition of convicts and approval of the common regulations for combating trafficking in persons were among the key achievements.

Shaikh Khalifa arrived in Riyadh yesterday afternoon leading the UAE's delegation to the summit.

King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud of Saud Arabia welcomed Shaikh Khalifa on his arrival at the airport.

Later, Shaikh Khalifa received King Abdullah and Prince Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz, Saudi Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Defence and Aviation and Inspector General, at his residence at the Dariya Palace in Riyadh. They reviewed the GCC march and issues to be discussed at the summit.

They exchanged views on the latest regional and international developments, they also discussed the strong brotherly ties and ways to enhance them.

Shaikh Khalifa visited Shaikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Sabah, Emir of Kuwait, where the two leaders discussed the agenda of the summit and ways to enhance the joint Gulf efforts on all levels, in addition to the current political issues in the region and internationally.

The meeting was attended by both the delegation members.

Shaikh Khalifa later paid a courtesy visit to King Hamad Bin Eisa Al Khalifa of Bahrain at his residence at the Dariya Palace.

The two leaders exchanged views on the agenda of the summit. Shaikh Khalifa and King Hamad reviewed bilateral ties as well as latest regional and international events.

Shaikh Khalifa also paid a courtesy visit to Shaikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani, Emir of Qatar, at his residence in Dariya Palace.

Abdullah thanks Khalifa

Later in the evening, King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia inaugurated the summit of the leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council.

Shaikh Khalifa led the UAE delegation at the inaugural session, which was attended also by King Hamad of Bahrain, Sultan Qaboos Bin Saeed of Oman, Shaikh Hamad of Qatar, and Shaikh Sabah of Kuwait.

In his inaugural speech, King Abdullah extended his warm thanks to Shaikh Khalifa for the wisdom and confidence he has displayed during his tenure as chairman of the 26th GCC summit.

The Saudi monarch said the meeting provided an opportunity for assessing the progress of the council.

"What has been achieved so far is still far below the expectations of our people," he said.

The inaugural session was also addressed by Shaikh Sabah, who praised King Abdullah for naming the summit after the late Shaikh Jaber Al Ahmad Al Sabah.

Following that, the leaders went into a closed door meeting, chaired by King Abdullah. They discussed issues on the agenda.

GCC Secretary-General, Abdul Rahman Bin Hamad Al Attiyah, presented a progress report covering the period since the Abu Dhabi summit of December 2005.