In an interview with Dhaen Shaheen, Editor in- Chief of the UAE-based “Bayan” newspaper, on the occasion of the GCC Summit, which is being held today in the Bahraini capital Manama, HRH emphasized the need for stronger cooperation and integration among the GCC nations in a way that would achieve mutual interests and benefits, especially in the security field.
“Our people are looking forward for more achievements, especially in light of on-going regional and global developments “he said.
He went on to urge for further efforts aimed at greater efficiency to the common business strategy of the GCC countries in light of regional and international challenges meant to consequently meet aspirations of the peoples of the region and to build on the GCC’s political, economic and social achievements.
He called the GCC leaders to develop new ideas that would accelerate breakthrough progress towards meeting common goals and better present and future of the region.
He also asserted that “we are in a new era where the world is being controlled by conflicting and clear strategic interests, in light of whom it has become binding for the GCC to act more effectively as a unified entity.
“What concerns us, first and foremost, is security and stability of the region and that we speak with one voice and are a key player with respect to current affairs of the region. We also have to put multiple and stronger mechanisms to protect our interests and maintain the Gulf’s long-standing nature as secure and stable hub”.
Responding to a question on whether the Manama GCC Summit is going to witness the official birth of ” Gulf Union”, HRH confirmed that the initiative of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud of sisterly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, calling for moving from the stage of “Co-operation” into a “Union” had come to meet aspirations of the Gulf Cooperation Council for unity, which was, and still is, and will remain, the ultimate goal behind the establishment of this council.
HRH said that the proposed “Union”, should proceed
according to the plan agreed upon between GCC Member States meant to set mechanisms for moving towards unity on all the political, economic, military and security levels, in order to ensure a strong launch of the “Union” that would maintain the already heavy – weight status, which the GCC has gained regionally and internationally over the past years.
“We’re facing a stage in which the Arab Gulf states must be united rather than separate parts, as in reality, we have similar political systems and share same threats that endanger our nations, so what we want at this stage is a union of Gulf that would achieve our long sought cooperation and aspiration, move us forward to a further dedicated coordination, integration and interdependence we’ve been talking about, and would also provide us with a collective security umbrella as strategic option for achieving self-security.”, HRH said.
His Highness stressed that the development of the Cooperation Council system and access to comprehensive GCC unity, is a coincided goal that meets the will and aspirations of the peoples of the region and its leaders since the launch of the GCC, and a fateful choice in light of what we are experiencing of security threats and political challenges.
“Bahrain’s deep-rooted belief in preserving the interests and gains of the GCC countries can only be achieved by coherence and unity and meeting common goals compatible to the will of the states, leaders and peoples of the GCC, particularly with respect to the promotion of Gulf citizenship; a principle advocated by the government of the Kingdom of Bahrain and included as a priority in its work plan. “, said HRH the prime minister.
He expressed his confidence that the “Manama Summit”, will give a strong boost to the GCC joint effort towards the attainment of its objectives, and in a form that keeps pace with what the region and the world are witnessing of variables, and meets the aspirations of peoples for development, security and stability.
Asked whether the Kingdom of Bahrain and Saudi Arabia would choose to form a confederation in the event of delayed announcement of the a “Gulf Union”, HRH the prime Minister confirmed that the proposed “Union” has been widely welcomed by GCC Member States, according to a consensus view. Such view is aimed at ensuring the participation of all GCC Member States without exception, as a natural evolution in the process of this council whose ultimate goal has been and remains unity, since its inception in 1981.
He went on to emphasize that the initiative of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, which suggests transmission of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) from the state of “co-operation” to the state of Union, was meant to include all members of the Council.
He pointed out that the results of the committee in charge of developing perceptions for the establishment of the union will decide, when completed, all details concerning declaration of the bloc, which has become an urgent demand of the peoples of the Gulf, especially that at this stage in which the GCC countries are facing many variables and challenges. Such challenges make it inevitable for the GCC to speed up the transfer of the “Gulf Union” into a reality, and this will not be too far away, God willing.
On bilateral relations between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates, His Highness said that the two nations enjoy deep –rooted, strong and fraternal ties, in light of efforts of the leaderships of the two nations aimed at closer relations that would meet aspirations of the two brotherly peoples. ”
He also praised the vital and important role played by the United Arab Emirates, since the launch of the GCC in Abu Dhabi in 1981, noting the genuine supporting stance of the leadership and people of United Arab Emirates to the Kingdom of Bahrain, during the latest events in Bahrain.
On his aspirations of the current” Manama Summit”, being a new chapter in the march of the GCC, His Royal Highness the Prime Minister expressed his country’s welcome to host GCC summit. He also stressed that Bahrain, under the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, has given GCC joint action a top priority in its policies –and- strategies, and has always backed it, at all levels.
He also asserted that their Majesties and Highnesses the leaders of GCC give expanded Gulf partnership in various political, economic and security utmost importance, adding that they seek with all sincerity and determination to maximize and strengthen the power of the Council and it’s interdependent through stronger instruments of cooperation and integration.
He also wished their Majesties and Highnesses the leaders of the GCC countries success in their quest to consolidate cooperation and intimacy between the GCC countries and their peoples.
His Highness said that the surrounding circumstances and threats in the region and the many shifts the world is witnessing, constitute an additional incentive towards the need of a stronger GCC to strengthen efforts aimed at economic development and integration, and provide an umbrella of protection capable of deterring those parties seeking to undermine security and stability of the region.
Regarding his vision of the reality of the Gulf Cooperation in the light of what has happened in Bahrain crisis last year, HRH confirmed that the GCC support to Bahrain formed a crucial factor in maintaining its unity, sovereignty and stability, and that backing shared need of protecting security of the region is required as a priority, at the current stage and that delay cannot be tolerated.
He highlighted the brotherly GCC Member States’ supporting standing to Bahrain in various situations and events, stressing that they constitute a united entity, and that any threat to any party will be faced by a unified GCC position, stressing that the GCC unity has always formed a safety valve and a strong shield in the face of greed and attempts by some foreign parties to intervene in the internal affairs of the GCC countries, under flimsy pretexts.
Asked about his assessment of the economic cooperation between the GCC countries, he explained that initial foundations that upon which GCC system were founded were based on a clear vision meant to achieve security and development at the same time, as none of such correlated factors can be achieved away from the other. He went on to stress that the GCC has succeeded in establishing a solid base for cooperation in these two sides, and is still moving forward in this direction.
His Highness said that economic integration projects between the GCC countries are proceeding at an encouraging pace taking into account the experiences of major economic blocs, and the financial and economic crises, which the world is experiencing. HRH the Prime Minister stressed in this regard that the principle of gradual approach and prioritization has strengthened Gulf bonds, in this area.
He urged for integration among GCC development programs and encouraging the private sector in the GCC countries to establish joint ventures, as a key step in promoting steps to achieve comprehensive GCC unity.
His Highness said that, what is needed at the current stage, is to move on to put effective strategy to ensure necessary protection of the GCC states against any threats. They have to work, HRH added, to increase economic growth and sustainability of the development process, and enhance regional and international GCC status as an economic and political bloc, which has effective capacity to influence formulation of the future of the region.
“We are with any approach that would enhance overall development gains of the GCC and their people, and would support continued coordination and consultation on regional and international issues, and deal flexibly with fresh variables in a manner that would strengthen security and stability of the region.”, He added.
And on the challenges faced by the GCC joint action in light of the regional and international changes and developments, said
” What is experienced by the Arab world today of multiple economic, political and social crises play a key role in undermining all the gains made over the years, and has become a reality that we have to live with and we suffer from what is happening. It is not a reenactment of reality, he added, but stressing of a reality we did not aspire to,”
HRH called political elites in the Arab world in the region of all sects and origins to play a greater role in the prevention of violence and to keep away from strife with each other and to promote, instead, development and provide a healthy environment that contributes to political, economic and social growth and development.
On handling violence and sabotage events, HRH said that Bahrain is a state of law and institutions and that any illegal practices will be faced by law. He highlighted that the people of Bahrain rejects such practices.
“The Kingdom of Bahrain is a country of diversity, and embraces many creeds, religions and cultures, ethnicities and races, all living together in love and peace and harmony, His Highness said, stressing that anyone who tries to harm this wonderful fabric, will harvest only disappointment, and this is confirmed by the history of Bahrain.
Responding to a question about the relationship between the state and associations in Bahrain, despite obsessing about the relationship with religious sects in the region?, His Highness said that the criterion of citizenship in the Kingdom of Bahrain is loyalty to the country, and the development of its supreme interests above all other considerations, stressing that freedom of opinion and expression are available and protected in accordance with the Constitution, and that licensed associations that operate in accordance with the law are national associations, which are committed to its mission aimed at strengthening the nation and maintaining its gains, and therefore we will not allow anyone to undermine our unity and national fabric.
And on the development of educational curricula capable of confronting attempts aimed at harming GCC common achievements, and capable of facing challenges, His Royal Highness the Prime Minister said that science and education are of the most important tools in the modern era and that well – tailored curricula that absorb state –of- the art developments in the international arena is vital and necessary to deal with variables of the time.
HRH the Prime Minister stressed that education curriculum in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), must be comparable to those in the developed world, pointing out that assessment of nations advancement is measured by their education outputs and the ability of these countries to produce creators in various areas of life, as well as those who have the ability to absorb modern science and using it to develop their nations and homelands.