Top officials discuss GCC security

Regional security and cooperation topped the agenda of the consultative meeting held recently between the deputy ministers and high-ranking officials from the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and Sheikh Mohammad Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, Kuwaiti deputy premier and minister of interior.
The meeting assumes significance amid growing regional challenges including security concerns created by the Islamic State and the Sharura standoff on the Saudi-Yemen border.
“The meeting between GCC officials and Sheikh Mohammad stressed permanent cooperation between GCC interior ministries,” sources at the Ministry of Interior said.
According to the sources, regional security topped the agenda of the discussion, which took place after the consultative meeting on Thursday in Kuwait.
“They called for unifying their visions and discussed security developments in regional and international arenas,” the sources added.
The meeting also discussed regional stability, security and fight against crime.
Earlier, the GCC had announced the formation of a unified military command to reinforce the regional security architecture in order to strengthen the six member bloc’s defense capabilities.
The participating deputy interior ministers expressed gratitude to the Kuwaiti government for hosting the important meeting.
Notably, the Kuwaiti Ministry of Interior said Monday that it will bring all those involved in the violation of the law to book in order to safeguard the country’s security.
The GCC countries are also planning to launch a common visa on the lines of the Schengen visa to allow Gulf-based expats and foreign businessmen to move easily across the borders of the six-member bloc and boost tourism and trade in the region.