GCC has a historic role in preserving regional security: Mohamed

Leaders were briefed on the April 20 meeting of US and GCC defence ministers. Validating the importance of GCC-U.S. training exercises, they announced that GCC countries and the US would immediately begin planning for a combined military exercise in March 2017, to demonstrate the full breath of GCC-U.S. security capabilities.

GCC countries endorsed quick implementation of a new initiative to train specially-designated Special Operations Forces (SOF) units from each GCC country, in order to bolster interoperable counterterrorism capabilities. GCC countries also supported expanded cooperation on cyber security, endorsing peacetime cyber norms codified by Saudi Arabia, the US, and other G-20 countries.

The U.S. expressed its readiness to support GCC efforts to diversify their economies, provide more effective governance, and adapt to economic challenges posed by low oil prices and changing demographics.

Toward that end, GCC countries endorsed a U.S. proposal to inaugurate a ministerial-level GCC-U.S. economic dialogue in 2016, to supplement the activities undertaken under the GCC-U.S. Framework Agreement on Economic, Trade, Investment and Technical Cooperation of 2012.

In addition to strengthening GCC-U.S. economic and investment ties, this dialogue would seek to assist GCC countries’ implementation of economic and energy policies aimed at making available additional resources to meet their development needs. Leaders reaffirmed the mutual benefits of cooperation on climate issues, and committed to work toward the adoption of an amendment to the Montreal Protocol in 2016 to phasedown hydro fluorocarbons.

Leaders committed to continuing coordinating closely on issues of mutual concern, including through meetings of GCC and U.S. secretaries of State and Defence, and support for an annual leader-level summit.

The US welcomed GCC interest in opening an office in Washington to advance cooperation, and will support efforts toward that end. Leaders also directed that all U.S.-GCC working groups meet at least twice annually, to advance partnership on counterterrorism, streamlining the transfer of critical defence capabilities, missile defence, military preparedness, and cyber security.

For continuity of those efforts, and speedy implementation of decisions expressed in the Camp David Joint Statement of May 14, 2015, its annex, and this communique, they directed their respective administrations to strengthen the framework of the GCC-U.S. partnership, including the GCC-U.S. strategic partnership.

Leaders expressed satisfaction with the permanent partnership between GCC and US, stressing the central importance of this partnership as a means to promote peace, security and stability in the region.

Mohamed meets President of Egypt

His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, discussed with Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, President of the Arab Republic of Egypt, ways to strengthen fraternal cooperation and strategic relations between the two countries as well as a number of regional and international issues of common concern.

This came during a meeting between Sheikh Mohamed and President El Sisi  Al-Ittihadiya Presidential Palace. Accompanied by a high-profile delegation, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi is paying an official visit to the Arab Republic of Egypt.

At arrival at the presidential palace, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed shook hands with senior Egyptian officials, while President El Sisi shook hands with members of the delegation accompanying Sheikh Mohamed.

The President of Egypt at the beginning of the meeting, attended by H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, welcomed   Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and his accompanying delegation, expressing his satisfaction at this fraternal visit, which comes within the framework of fraternal cooperation between the two sisterly countries and the two fraternal peoples.

For his part, Sheikh Mohamed conveyed the greetings of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan to President El-Sisi and his best wishes to the President of Egypt, and progress and prosperity to its people.

In turn, the Egyptian President reciprocated by asking Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed to convey his regards to the UAE President and his best wishes for further progress and development of the UAE.

During the meeting, they discussed ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation in various areas of interest so as to achieve the common interests of the two countries and the two peoples.

The two sides stressed the depth of relations between the two sisterly countries in light of durable cooperation and deep relationships thanks to the keenness of the leaders of the two countries to push them to new heights of strategic cooperation and coordination, especially in light of the critical events in the region.

The two sides discussed a number of issues of mutual interest, coordination and consultation, particularly the security challenges that aimed to destabilise the region, violence and extremism as well as acts of terrorist groups.

They stressed the importance of concerted efforts, cooperation and solidarity against the threats of foreign interference that aim at undermining the foundations of stability and security in the Arab region, and the need for a strong and effective platforms for joint Arab action that will confront the sources of threat and eliminate the dangers of extremism and terrorism in the region.

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed stressed that the UAE, under the leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, continues to back Egypt and its people to achieve their aspirations in the stability, development and reconstruction. He referred to vital role of Egypt given its strategic weight in support of Arab causes.

 For his part, El-Sisi stressed the depth of relations between the UAE and Egypt, reiterating his country's keenness on strengthening relations with the UAE in the best interest of the two countries.

President El Sisi reviewed the roadmap and the most important and vital development projects achieved so far across Egypt, referring to the government's efforts to attract investments and projects that will develop the national economy. He welcomed UAE investors in Egypt.

He appreciated the position of the UAE in support of Egypt through its contributions to the development in Egypt.

At the end of the meeting, the two sides stressed the importance of reaching a political and peaceful solutions to the crises taking place in some countries in the region so as to maintain the territorial integrity and sovereignty of these countries. They stressed the importance of concerted international community efforts to end conflicts in the region, which would contribute to establishing security and promoting stability and development.

Among others present were Ali Mohammad Hammad Al Shamsi, Deputy Secretary-General of the Supreme National Security Council, Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Executive Affairs Authority, Mohammed bin Nakhira Al Dhaheri, UAE Ambassador to the Arab Republic of Egypt, Mohammed Mubarak Al Mazrouei, Under-Secretary of the Crown Prince's Court of Abu Dhabi, and Major General Isa Saif bin Ablan Al Mazrouei, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces.

Mohamed leads UAE team to GCC-US Summit

His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, is today  heading the UAE delegation to the GCC-US Summit in Riyadh between Their Highnesses the GCC Leaders and US President Barack Obama.

The meeting is also being attended by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia, the Emir of Kuwait, His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmed Al Jaber Al Sabah, His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain, the Qatari Emir, His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and Fahad bin Mahmoud Al Saeed, Oman's Deputy Prime Minister for Cabinet Affairs.

The summit explored ways of deepening the partnership and co-operation between the United States and GCC countries and reviewed what's been done since the last summer GCC-US Summit at Camp David and what more can be achieved in the coming year.

The Summit was broken into three different sessions - one on regional security and stability, one on foreign interferences and counterterrorism cooperation, and then one on regional and international issues of mutual concern.

The Summit was attended by the UAE delegation accompanying Sheikh Mohamed which comprised Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation; Ali Mohammad Hammad Al Shamsi, Deputy Secretary-General of the Supreme National Security Council; Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Executive Affairs Authority; Mohammed Mubarak Al Mazrouei, Under-Secretary of the Crown Prince's Court of Abu Dhabi, Yousef Al Otaiba, UAE Ambassador to the US, and Mohammed Saeed Al Dhaheri, UAE Ambassador to Saudi Arabia.

Leaders reaffirm commitment to jointly defend security, stability

GCC and Moroccan leaders stressed their commitment to mutually defend their countries' security and stability, and respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries.

On Wednesday, the GCC leaders and Moroccan King Mohammad VI renewed their unified solidarity and sincere historic relations based on exceptional brotherly ties.

This came in a joint statement issued at the conclusion of the GCC-Morocco summit yesterday  in the Saudi capital.

The statement said the summit was a chance to boost strategic partnerships and coordinate stances between GCC states and Morocco in order to address challenges and threats facing the Arab region, as well as to share views on international and regional issues of mutual interest.

The leaders expressed satisfaction over the continued progress in joint action to achieve the goals of their partnership in accordance with the plans to boost human development and promote trade exchange and investments.

The summit statement stressed the importance of making concerted efforts to face challenges and resolve crises in the Arab region, mainly Syria, Iraq, Libya and Yemen.

The leaders renewed their condemnation of extremism and terrorism in all its forms, calling for combating ideas seeking to spread sectarianism, which fuels sedition and pushes others to interfere in the domestic affairs of countries.

They called for coordinating international efforts to combat terrorism, underlining the significance of the Islamic Military Counter-Terrorism Coalition to support these efforts, the statement concluded.

EARLIER REPORT

His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, received in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, US President Barack Obama, to discuss ways of strengthening strategic relations of friendship and co-operation and the two countries' vision for elevating the existing joint partnership so as to serve the mutual interests of the two countries and their peoples.

The US President is visiting Saudi Arabia for the GCC-US Summit which starts on Thursday.

The two sides affirmed their commitment to continue their work for further developing their close and outstanding ties guided by the mutual desire of the Emirati-US leaderships to take these relations to new heights so as to realise mutual gains.

The Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and President Obama discussed a wide range of regional and international issues including the Syrian crisis and the progress in the ongoing peace talks in Geneva as well as efforts being made by the international community to counter violent, extremism and terrorist organisations and the progress of Yemeni peace talks.

H.H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed underscored that terrorism, violence and extremism pose a real international challenge that any region could face, and it  requires us to collaborate and work diligently with our partners and other regional and international powers to counter and eradicate this menace from its roots.

H.H. stressed that a clear vision and stances were needed to address and confront the ongoing challenges and changes, particularly those concerning  foreign interferences that undermine the security and stability of the countries in the region and safety of their people.

The two sides reiterated their commitment to exert more efforts to contain the crises engulfing the region and support the pillars of regional security and stability.

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Affairs Authority (EAA), and Yousef Al Otaiba, UAE Ambassador to the US, attended the meeting.

Mohamed chairs UAE's delegation to GCC-Morocco summit

His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, chaired the UAE's delegation to the summit of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) leaders and the King Mohammed VI of Morocco, which started in Saudi capital, Riyadh.

President over by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia, the summit discussed ways of enhancing GCC-Moroccan partnership and of coordinating stances to confront challenges and threats the region is facing.

The leaders exchanged views on a host of regional and international matters that affect security and stability of the region and stressed  the importance of adopting a unified position towards handling regional concerns.

Those attended the summit from the UAE included Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Ali bin Hammad Al Shamsi, Deputy Secretary-General of the National Security Council, Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Affairs Authority, EAA, Yousef Al Otaiba, UAE Ambassador to the US, Mohammed Saeed Al Dhaheri, UAE Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, and Mohamed Mubarak Al Mazrouei, Under-Secretary of the Crown Prince's Court of Abu Dhabi.

Mohamed, Saudi Crown Prince discuss bilateral relations

His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, met Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Naif bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Premier and Minister of Interior, to review fraternal relations and ways of enhancing them in a manner that realises their mutual aspirations.

They also discussed the latest regional and international developments and joint coordination towards preserving security and stability in the region.

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Affairs Authority, EAA, AND Yousef Al Otaiba, UAE Ambassador to the US, attended the meeting.

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