Saif signs agreement to set up GCC police force

Abu Dhabi: Lieutenant General Shaikh Saif Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, on Wednesday signed an agreement to set up the GCC police force (GCCPOL), which will be headquartered in Abu Dhabi.

Shaikh Saif also led the UAE delegation to the 34th meeting of GCC Interior Ministers, which was held in Doha on Wednesday.

During the meeting, GCC interior ministers discussed issues related to enhancing security cooperation between Gulf nations.

Shaikh Saif praised the efforts of Shaikh Abdullah Bin Nasser Bin Khalifa Al Thani, Qatar’s Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, to consolidate cooperation.

Gulf leaders endorsed the formation of the GCC police force during the 35th GCC Summit hosted by Qatar in December 2014. The GCCPOL aims to enhance coordination between GCC police services, share information, and counter cross-border and organised crime.

The force will help coordinate efforts across the region and share knowledge and information among other relevant security authorities. The decision to set up the force was adopted in accordance with decisions of GCC Ministers of Interiors who met in Kuwait in November 2014, as well as the Supreme Council of the GCC meeting held in December 2014.