05/12/2017
05/12/2017
COUNTRIES in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have schedules which cannot be delayed under any circumstances; hence, the 38th Gulf Cooperation Council Summit is being held in Kuwait with all of its six leaders in attendance. The summit eliminates the anxiety and fear which prevailed in the region throughout the past months due to the crisis that clearly appears to be heading towards its end. This is due to the efforts exerted by HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. Everyone has put major significance on the efforts he exerted since he embarked on the mediation endeavor. HH the Amir enjoys extensive appreciation from GCC citizens and their leaders. Despite the difference of opinion, there is a collective concern over maintaining the national security of these countries. The single undertaking approach, which our governments have been adhering to throughout the past decades, was and remains to be the first line of safety to distance GCC countries from storms and quakes that rocked and continues to rock the region since Khomeini overthrew the Shah, as well as the introduction of tunnel of conflicts, war and terrorism by the regime in Iran. This single undertaking approach has proven its resilience and strength in instances more sensitive than the current crisis because of the profound belief of the people in the region as they follow up every detail of HH the Amir’s communications and shuttle trips to Gulf capitals. People of the Gulf region highly appreciate the Kuwaiti mediation which knocked on every door and its ability to open doors to establish solid solutions which have no flaws that could disturb calm relations in the future. GCC nationals have realized that whoever brings together brothers under the GCC umbrella on Kuwait’s soil will be able to crush the misgivings of everyone and improve the situation through his sagacity and status. Without any doubt, he will not fail. This is due to the fact that HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah has never failed in any task; especially if the task is related to the entity which brings together brothers under the protection umbrella and source of strength for the people in the region. None of the GCC members intends to leave one of their own outside — towards the wind of foreign greed, nor become the preference of those preying on us, whether from the East or the West. In spite of the different opinions and stances on a certain issue; the first and last concern is maintaining cohesion and unity of all its members, particularly during challenging times in terms of the economy, politics and security. During the summit, which we can calmly refer to as Sabah’s summit of Cooperation Council, we ought to present the future to everyone. The annual income of this entity is about $6 trillion. If this income is utilized for investments, infrastructure, services, etc, this entity will be able to compete with Asian tigers, and perhaps, move ahead of these tigers. Based on this fact, it is imperative for the GCC to proceed to the advance stages of cooperation. This is in addition to an effective mechanism for preventing disputes in the future, such that everyone becomes preoccupied with nation-building to realize the aspirations of our nations. These nations have become more aware of their needs and what is beneficial for them. By Ahmed Al-Jarallah - Editor-in-Chief, the Arab Times