KUWAIT — Gulf ministers of interior Wednesday discussed several issues related to security and stability in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries. Prince Muhammad Bin Naif, Minister of Interior, is leading the Kingdom's side during the discussions at Kuwait's Bayan Palace. Addressing the 15th consultative meeting, Kuwait's Deputy Premier and Minister of Interior Sheikh Muhammad Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah said providing security to the citizens and protecting the stability of the nations is the prime responsibility of the state. He said: “Our people expect a lot from us to achieve this, especially amid the changes and challenges facing the region.” These changes, he said, are affecting the security negatively. “Therefore, such meetings are a good opportunity to discuss and consult with others on all security issues of mutual concern. These meetings give security cooperation a push forward so as to achieve tangible results that the Gulf citizens want us to achieve.” Sheikh Muhammad further said: “There are numerous steps and clear accomplishments made through joint Gulf security work. There are positive, tangible results at the level of dealing with all kinds of conventional and new kinds of crimes.” We must, he said, collectively strive to find suitable mechanisms and take necessary measures to tackle crimes of all kinds and counter terror and its sources of funding. Meanwhile, GCC Secretary General Dr. Abdullatif Rashed Al-Zayani said: “The GCC ministers of interior discussed a number of important security issues that will boost joint security work, protect the security and stability of GCC countries and safeguard their gains and accomplishments.” The ministers, he said, lauded the huge efforts being exerted by different security bodies in GCC countries to combat crimes, pursue criminals and protect Gulf societies from their destructive effects. The ministers confirmed that collective security work for GCC countries is the safety valve for boosting security and stability in these countries. The ministers read several reports referred to them by the undersecretaries of the ministries of interior on security subjects being studied including the establishment of Gulf Police, whose headquarters will be in Abu Dhabi. They called for expediting the required studies, he said. — SPA
