RIYADH — Saudi Interior Minister Prince Abdulaziz Bin Saud Bin Naif lauded on Tuesday the achievements made by the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries in many areas, particularity with regard to security efforts. The other areas include checking crimes, combating terror, traffic safety, civil protection, fighting drugs, and financial crimes. He made the remarks in his address to the 37th ordinary meeting of the GCC interior ministers which was convened remotely under the chairmanship of Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, deputy prime minister and minister of interior of the United Arab Emirates, the president of the current session. At the outset of his speech, the Saudi interior minister conveyed the greetings of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman and Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman, to the participants in the meeting, wishing the ministers every success. Prince Abdulaziz said that this meeting is taking place amid critical circumstances facing the entire world due to the outbreak and spread of coronavirus, which threatened the health of mankind and caused negative repercussions on the lives of people and the world economy. Earlier, the GCC ministers conveyed to the Kuwaiti people, GCC nationals, and Arab and Islamic nations, sincere condolence and sympathy on the sad demise of Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, praying to Allah the Almighty to bestow his mercy upon his soul, citing the great achievements and noble deeds the deceased offered to the GCC countries and their people. They congratulated Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the Emir of Kuwait, on assuming office in Kuwait, wishing him every success in the service of Kuwait and its people, and wishing Kuwait steady progress, security, and prosperity. Following the meeting, Dr. Nayef Al-Hajraf, the GCC secretary-general, said in a press statement that the ministers thanked the UAE, the current president of this session, for the strenuous efforts it was exerting to make the march of the GCC countries a success. The interior ministers also lauded the support lent by leaders of the GCC to the joint security action of the GCC states to enhance cooperation and integrity among their countries to further consolidate the security and stability of the GCC countries, Dr. Al-Hajraf said. He added that the ministers took decisions on a host of issues on their agenda, including reports submitted to them by security committees as well as recommendations forwarded by interior ministries undersecretaries.
