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Khalifa in Riyadh for GCC summit

In a statement upon arrival, Shaikh Khalifa said: “In view of the current developments at the regional and international scenes, the 7^th consultative summit provides the opportunity to us to confer on a host of issues. It also provides an opportunity to further cement our inter-GCC cooperation on political, economic, security and social issues.”

Shaikh Khalifa said that such consultations were crucial to the progress of the GCC, adding that this was the only way for realising the aspirations of the GCC people. He cited Iraq and Palestine as important issues which will be dealt with by the summit.

“I look forward to meeting my brothers — the leaders — at the summit so that we confer and reach consensus over issues on the agenda. It is a good coincidence that this summit coincides with the 24^th anniversary of the inception of the GCC. This will give us the opportunity to take a stock and rejuvenate as we move forward,” said Shaikh Khalifa.

He hailed the progress made by the six-member organisation over the last two decades, adding that the organisation is set to achieve more in the years to come.

Shaikh Khalifa is accompanied by a high-ranking delegation comprising Shaikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Shaikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Presidential Affairs, Shaikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Information and Culture, Shaikh Sultan bin Hamdan Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Department of Protocol and Guesthouse, Shaikh Fahim bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Minister of Supreme Council and GCC Affairs, Rashid Abdullah, Foreign Minister, Ahmed Juma Al Za’abi, Deputy Minister of Presidential Affairs and UAE Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Saeed Hamdan Al Naqbi.

• UAE