Wednesday 05 February 2014
In his lecture at the UAE NDC, Dr. Abulatif Al Zinani, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, highlighted the fact that the GCC are working closely and uninterruptedly to protect their security, stability and prosperity and that they are fully aware of the political, social and economical challenges facing them and that they view such challenges as opportunities for supporting synergy and integration between GCC countries and the other international pacts. “The vision of the GCC states is based on achieving prosperity for the states and people of the GCC and paving the way for their citizens to achieve their aspirations and personal ambitions and providing equal opportunities of education , jobs ,health care ,housing and community services as well as a stable and secure life for the gulf communities” he said . "The GCC states are seeking to achieve five strategic objectives: strengthening the collective security of the GCC states, increasing economic growth, , maintaining a high level of human development and empowering member states to effectively handle and recover from all kinds of crises ,and achieving a prestigious status for the GCC regionally and internationally." Al Zayani added. He pointed out that the future of the GCC is closely associated with the might gained by the GCC countries from the same bonds that harness these countries such as kinship ,religion, geography and culture and that these countries do believe that they are an integral part of the Arab and Islamic world and that they are doing their utmost to support Arab and Islamic issues and to bring development and prosperity to these countries. Moreover, he noted that the GCC countries reject international or regional hegemony over the Arab Gulf or any kind of interference in their internal affairs, and that they do believe in the efficacy of dialogue as a tool while renouncing the use of force or violence. He said that the diplomacy of the GCC is based on three principles: communication, cooperation and confidence-building which means that he is referring to the Gulf initiative to resolve the Yemen crisis which was signed in Riyadh in November 2011 ,and assuring that the initiative prevented an outbreak of civil war in Yemen and let the door wide open for a political settlement and a peaceful transition of power. Expressing his hope that the Gulf initiative may augur well to have a stable ,unified and prosperous Yemen and praising the support provided to the Gulf Initiative by the majority of countries and international organizations such as the UN Security Council ,the Arab League, the European Union and ambassadors of the permanent members of the Security Council and the European Union ,he said “ GCC states will continue doing their utmost in cooperation with the regional and international parties to ensure the success of a politically settled in Yemen.