For over four decades, Saudi Arabia’s policies have been designed to reflect its deep strategic weight in the world, especially in Arab and Muslim countries. The Kingdom has been exceptionally keen on uniting the ranks of Gulf states under the banners of brotherhood, religion and shared fate.
Since 1982, the year the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) was founded, Saudi concerted efforts have been poured into achieving common goals and aspirations and overcoming various obstacles that hinder cooperation.
Saudi Arabia, as a key GCC member, has guaranteed the preservation of unity among Gulf states and succeeded in finding settlements and efficient solutions for disputes among Gulf countries.
By boosting bonds of interdependence among GCC states and deepening cooperation, the Kingdom has managed to accomplish unity across many fields, utilizing meticulous planning centered around preserving achievements and balance among civilizations.
At GCC summits, Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states have maintained their march onward by laying out unbound support for a host of agencies that played a crucial part in bringing about a tangible revival, building strong ties, and overcoming challenges.
This aided the GCC in upholding its vision for unity within the Gulf.
A prime example of Saudi Arabia’s honorable policy can be found by invoking the memory of when the Kingdom’s late monarch King Fahd bin Abdulaziz heeded the call of Kuwait after the Iraqi invasion.
Saudi Arabia’s stance projected the strength of ties and a true understanding of having a shared destiny with Kuwait.
At the end of the 32nd GCC session, which was held in Riyadh, Gulf leaders welcomed and backed the proposal of King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz made during his opening speech, to form a GCC Union.
It called for the highest degree of economic integration between GCC countries, encompassing a customs union, monetary union and common market. It also advocated the deepening of defense and security cooperation and the activation of GCC diplomacy to serve national, Arab and Islamic causes in the world.
Believing in the importance of this proposal, GCC leaders directed the Ministerial Council to form a specialized body to be entrusted with studying all its aspects.
In 2016, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates signed a protocol to establish the Saudi-UAE Coordination Council.
Under the directive of Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz and UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan the deal aimed at achieving a common vision centered around highlighting the status of the two countries in the fields of economy, human development, politics and military-security integration.
Seven joint committees were established to implement a number of strategic and development initiatives and projects that achieve prosperity and security for the two brotherly peoples of Saudi Arabia and the UAE. This is part and parcel of the Saudi-UAE integration system.
Complementary committees were also formed to support achieving the vision shared between the two Gulf states. Eyeing a better future for the peoples of Saudi Arabia and the UAE, the committees work on overcoming all obstacles.
Exercising its full regional and international weight, Saudi Arabia focuses on protecting the unity of GCC member states. The Kingdom prioritizes safeguarding Gulf security against all attempts to undermine it and works hard to promote joint efforts that strive to accomplish higher goals aspired to by the GCC.
