Khalifa lauds gesture of King Hamad

As a tribute to the late Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, King Hamad yesterday ordered that the summit be called ‘Zayed Summit’ as a token of respect for his enormous contribution to the GCC.

“We are proud of this initiative. If anything, it underscores the noble feelings which we hold towards one another. It is an expression of genuine feelings of brotherhood,” said Shaikh Khalifa in a statement to the Bahraini News Agency (BNA).

Shaikh Khalifa added that the naming of the summit after Shaikh Zayed was not only a recognition of his contributions to the GCC but also a celebration of the values for which he lived.

“Just as this initiative is a deserved tribute to one of the pioneers of the GCC, it also re-affirms the commitment of the GCC states to move towards the ultimate objective of realising a common entity that is capable of delivering to the people of the region,” he said.

President Khalifa further noted: “We in the UAE felt a deep sense of bereavement when we lost our father and founder of our nation. With this initiative, we now feel that our responsibilities have multiplied. We will now have to redouble efforts to maintain the achievements of Zayed while at the same time move ahead with our drive to strengthen the GCC and enhance its progress.”

When Shaikh Zayed and others initiated the GCC, said Shaikh Khalifa, they achieved a lot for the region during a critical time. Now that we are in a new era, we need to work hard to build our mechanisms in such a way that will make them more responsive to emerging socio-economic and political challenges regionally and internationally.

Shaikh Khalifa concluded by saying that there should be every reason for hope, given the clarity of the vision of the GCC leaders. “We are confident in the able leadership of King Hamad. With the help and support of our brothers, the GCC leaders, he will be able to lead the GCC into greater progress and prosperity.”