Gulf summit in Manama: Bahrain King stresses importance of reforms in the region

The King of Bahrain, Sheikh Hamad Bin Isa al-Khalifa, stressed at the inauguration of the 25th session of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) summit proceeding forward in making reforms inspired by the peoples of the region. He said that the message of the GCC summit to the world is that of openness and partnership.

He added that while the world is speaking about development and reforms, the Gulf states are proud of what they have drawn of solid bases in education, culture, modernization and overall development which are considered the pillars of human rights, adding that these states are proceeding in gradual developmental policy that stems from the will to have more reforms and enhancement of the GCC states as an entity in the international community.

Sheikh Hamad commended the efforts made by the late President of the United Arab Emirates UAE Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan al-Nahyan in building this "Growing Gulf entity whose constituent meeting started under his auspices." After the King of Bahrain completed his speech, the GCC secretary general Abdul Rahman Bin Hamad al-Ateyah announced the end of the open session and the beginning of the first work session of the summit which is being held this year in the absence of the Saudi crown prince Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz over the background of the Saudi- Bahraini disputes after Manama had signed a free trade agreement with the USA.

Riyadh resorted to reducing the level of the representation of the participating delegation to be confined to the minister of defense, Prince Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz, considered by observers as a confirmation for the differences.

The summit is attended by the Sultan of Oman Qaboos bin Said, President of the United Arab Emirates UAE Sheikh Khaleifa Bin Zayed al-Nahyan, the Amir of Qatar Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa al-Thani and the prime minister of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah.