Saudi King directs officials to complete King Hamad Causeway studies soon

Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud yesterday gave directives to complete studies relating to the King Hamad Causeway, which will link Bahrain and Saudi Arabia alongside the planned GCC railway project. 

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Dr Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani made the announcement on the sidelines of a joint press conference with Saudi Foreign Minister Adel Al Jubair at the conclusion of the 36th GCC Summit.

He said that the Gulf leaders backed the vision of the Saudi monarch to consolidate the march of the GCC and issued key resolutions to bolster cooperation, stressing in this regard the mandatory law on protecting GCC customers. 

He underlined the resolution on equal treatment of the GCC national regarding health services at clinics and public hospitals.

The session has also approved follow-up reports on the Gulf Common Market, the Gulf Monetary Union and the water grid and the action plan on combating non-communicable diseases, in addition to the Free Trade negotiations and strategic dialogue with other international economic blocs. 

The session was also updated on a follow-up reports relating to the implementation of the outcome of the GCC-US Summit which was held last May in Camp David. 

The GCC leaders stressed the necessity of doubling efforts to promote the true image of Islam and its values which advocate moderation, tolerance and peace. 

They also underscored the importance of achieving full economic citizenship to benefit all GCC nationals, backing efforts to consolidate partnership with the private sector. Dr Al Zayani said that the GCC leaders welcomed the decision to hold the 37th Summit in the Kingdom of Bahrain next December. 

Regarding the construction of Yemen, he stressed the keenness of the member states on reaching a political settlement to restore security and stability which would enable the country to integrate into the Gulf economy.

Saudi Foreign Minister Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubair said that the GCC leaders reached key resolutions, stressing their keenness on strengthening economic, political, military and security cooperation. He stressed the resolve of the GCC member states to protect their security as part of the leaders’ unified political vision.