The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) interior ministers convened for their 31st meeting on Tuesday evening.
Lt. General H.H Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, who headed the UAE delegation to the meeting, commended the GCC countries’ efforts to bolster security cooperation, for the good of the region’s countries and peoples.
Sheikh Saif recalled the virtues of the late Crown Prince Nayef bin Abdulaziz saying that “GCC countries have lost a pillar of security, who laid the rules against extremism and terrorism…” expressing his full confidence in HRH Prince Mohammed Bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz, Minister of Interior of Saudi Arabia, to uphold responsibility and pursue the endeavor.
Sheikh Saif also expressed his intention, alongside all GCC Ministers of Interior, to launch an initiative perpetuating the memory of His Royal Highness for future generations.
Hereunder, His Highness’s address:
Their Highnesses; their Excellences, Ministers of Interior of the Gulf Cooperation Council; and His Excellency, Secretary General of the Council. Peace be upon you… I'm honored to convey the regards of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia, and the regards of UAE people and government to the Saudi government and people, for their warm welcome and hospitality. Allow me to take this opportunity to congratulate HRH Prince Mohammed bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz, Minister of Interior of Saudi Arabia for the gracious royal trust bestowed upon him; praying Allah Almighty to support him in his endeavor.
Looking at the statistics and reports provided by the UAE Ministry of Interior staff, with respect to the various areas of security cooperation between GCC countries; I am extremely pleased to see the level of cooperation achieved among the various GCC Ministries of Interior. This will enable us all to move forward strongly in our joint efforts to overcome all challenges.
Our 31st meeting today is not a regular one; it is an endeavor between brothers, who have decided to unify measures and procedures, through programs that keep pace with developments, to help reinforce the progress that we all aspire to achieve in our countries.
Concluding, I ask Allah the Almighty to guide us, in our efforts to achieve these aspirations… Peace be upon you.”
For his part, Abdul Latif Al Zayani, GCC Secretary-General gave an address expressing his thanks and appreciation for their Highnesses, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and the Crown Prince, for the attention they bestow upon their fellow GCC leaders. He commended their support for the joint security work between GCC countries, to achieve the aspirations of GCC peoples for further progress, development and prosperity.
Al Zayani also extended his heartfelt condolences for the death of a number of security personnel in terrorist acts in the Kingdom of Bahrain.
Dr. Al Zayani said “Despite the significant achievements in joint security cooperation between GCC countries, we still have to exert tireless efforts to achieve the desired level of cooperation and integration, all GCC countries’ leaders and peoples aspire to."
A closed session was held later on.
In his welcome address, HRH Prince Mohammed bin Naif bin Abdulaziz, Minister of Interior of Saud