HRH Premier calls for stronger collective GCC, Arab action

Manama, Aug. 17 (BNA): His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa has called for stepping up joint GCC and Arab action to address the serious dangers that beset the region for the aim of subverting its security and stability. Everyone should be aware of the fact that the subversion of the security of one country will affect all other countries, without exception, HRH Premier warned. "If we have not been able to get united as a Nation, the present challenges should lead us to unify our stances in order to preserve the gains and achievements attained by the Arab peoples," he said. The Prime Minister pointed out that the instability prevailing in some countries and the on-going attempts to undermine the stability of the "secure" and stable states require a greater regional coordination and constant meetings between senior officials. Amid the current situation simple fixed periodic meetings are not enough to enhance consultation on ways to overcome the multiple challenges, he explained. HRH Premier made the remarks as he received at the Gudaibiya Palace today a number of MPs, Shura members and senior officials, in the presence of former Speaker of the Representatives Council Khalifa bin Ahmed Al-Dhahrani. While affirming that the GCC system has been the protective shield that safeguarded the gains of the peoples of its member states, HRH the Prime Minister asserted that the current regional and global conditions require "creative" initiatives to strengthen such a shield. The current phase and challenges cannot be confronted through the usual cooperation formulas, but require unified political stances, joint action and unified reaction towards every development, he stressed. Collective action has become a pressing demand to achieve GCC developmental, economic and social goals, and fulfill the aspirations of the GCC peoples to live in security and peace, he told the audience, noting that dealing with various issues unilaterally will make it difficult to resolve them at the short and long terms. Challenges are too serious to be confronted unilaterally because their sources are numerous, he explained. In order for any action to succeed, it has to be a collective one carried out jointly by all GCC states so as to achieve the common goals and meet the needs of GCC peoples regarding the provision of an adequate economic and social atmosphere, security and stability in the region, he said. Unilateral action has proved its failure, and even if it succeeds, its success is temporary and short-lived, he added. HRH the Premier warned of the attempts of some sides to take advantage of the openness and freedom atmosphere prevailing in GCC countries to serve agendas aimed at distabilising the region and impeding its development and progress, urging to deal firmly with any domestic threat, as the best way to ensure protection for the nation, on the one hand, and all countries of the region, on the other