up reports submitted by the Ministerial Council. It also discussed developments of the regional and international political issues, in the light of the rapid events and developments in the region and the world and took the necessary decisions as follows: First: the March of Joint Action: The Supreme Council valued steps that have been taken to give effect to its decisions on the joint action with regard to the areas set out in Article III of the Economic Agreement, and stressed the need to work to strengthen the spirit of citizenship of the citizens of the Gulf Cooperation Council in various fields. Deepening the economic integration among the Member States, and in order to effectuate decisions by the Supreme Council thereon, it discussed the economic situation in the GCC countries and expressed satisfaction with the significant growth witnessed by their economies, and what was achieved of the comprehensive development in various sectors. The Supreme Council directed committees to quickly implement the provisions in the economic agreement on unifying fiscal and monetary policies, and integration of infrastructure and enhancing the productive capacities so as to ensure availability of job opportunities for citizens, and tasked the financial and economic cooperation Commission to provide practical programs with timelines for the transition to the new horizons of integration and economic integration among the GCC countries, in order to achieve the desired goal. In the interest of the Supreme Council to achieve the aspirations of young people in the GCC countries, the Supreme Council directed to conduct a comprehensive study to identify the programs implemented in various youth activities and issues of families and childhood in the GCC countries and hold a comprehensive seminar in this regard. The Supreme Council also reviewed the process of joint cooperation through the reports and recommendations of the Ministerial Council, ministerial committees and the Secretariat in this regard and decided to take note of the follow-up reports before it and adopt all laws (regulations) in various areas of the joint action. The Supreme Council endorsed resolutions by the joint defense council and blessed the creation of a unified military command for coordination, planning and leadership of the dedicated and additional ground, naval and air forces, and the decision to approve the treatment of employees of the armed forces and their families in the GCC countries, who are sent on official tasks or participate in training courses in the Member States in military hospitals. The Supreme Council also approved the security agreement of the GCC countries, as amended and signed by their Highnesses and Excellencies the Ministers of Interior in their 31st meeting on November 13, 2012, stressing the importance of intensifying cooperation in particular with respect to the exchange of information among security agencies in the Member States. The Supreme Council asserted the firm positions of Member States to renounce terrorism and extremism in all its forms and manifestations, whatever the motives and justifications, and whatever its source. It condemned the outrageous terrorist bombings that occurred recently in the city of Manama, Bahrain, and killed a number of innocent people, praising the constructive role of the Government of Bahrain and its comprehensive dealing with events, stressing full solidarity with Bahrain in its efforts to maintain its national unity and consolidate security and stability. --More
