HE State Minister and Former Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Abdulrahman bin Hamad Al Attiyah, highlighted the numerous priorities in the current phase, including the importance of further enhancing Gulf citizenship. He emphasized that citizens should increasingly reap the benefits of collective Gulf efforts in economic, social, and various other fields.

His Excellency reaffirmed that public expectations are high and boundless, necessitating comprehensive reforms to fulfill the leaders’ visions for modernization.

Reflecting on the many years since the establishment of the GCC, HE Al Attiyah stressed the urgent need to form a task force or committee with broad authority from the six member states to review and develop the GCC’s basic framework. He highlighted the necessity of evaluating successes and identifying areas needing improvement, as periodic reviews are crucial in the modern era.

On his tenure as Secretary-General of the GCC from 2002 to 2011, HE Al Attiyah credited the achi
evements to the supportive stances and contributions of the GCC leaders. He adopted a collective approach, fostering a team spirit and consultation among officials and experts within the GCC Secretariat. He noted the Secretariat’s excellent personnel, who significantly contributed to its success.

He acknowledged the considerable support from HH the Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, who emphasized early on the need for reforming and enhancing the GCC’s performance.

HE Al Attiyah detailed the accomplishments during his tenure, which spanned economic, security, military, social, and cultural domains, as well as enhancing the role of women within the Secretariat. Key achievements included the establishment of the GCC Customs Union, the launch of the GCC Common Market, the Monetary Union, and the Gulf Electricity Interconnection. The GCC Common Market, launched in 2007, was particularly significant for its aim to provide equal treatment for all GCC citizens in economic activities, he noted.

Statist
ics confirmed the success of the GCC Common Market, ensuring freedom of movement, residence, employment in public and private sectors, retirement, trade, investment, property ownership, capital movement, taxation, stock trading, company formation, and equal access to education, healthcare, and social services, His Excellency pointed.

On the security front, HE Al Attiyah said that significant milestones were achieved, including the establishment of the GCC Criminal Information Center for Drug Control in Doha in 2008 and the transition from military cooperation to collective defense, with the approval of the GCC Joint Defense Strategy in 2009.

Al Attiyah highlighted Qatar’s active role in the GCC, from committees work to ministerial meetings, and the crucial leadership support. He reaffirmed Qatar’s steadfast support for the Palestinian people and their legitimate national and human rights.

In conclusion, HE State Minister and Former Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Abdulrahman bin Ham
ad Al Attiyah noted that the recent Israeli war on Gaza has exposed the brutality of the occupation, which has claimed the lives of thousands of civilians, including children, women, and the elderly. He emphasized Qatar’s ongoing efforts, led by HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, to alleviate Palestinian suffering through humanitarian aid and medical treatment for the injured. He added that Qatar’s positive mediation, in collaboration with Egypt and the United States, has also aimed to halt the war on Gaza and facilitate the release of hostages and prisoners from both sides, underscoring the effectiveness and strength of Qatari diplomacy in the region and beyond.

Source: Qatar News Agency