Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al-Zayani, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, highlighted, the topics discussed during today's meeting of the GCC defense ministers with U.S. Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter. In a press conference following the meeting, Al-Zayani described the meeting as constructive in which military cooperation ties between the two sides as well as ways of enhancing joint cooperation in several fields, including missile defense system, maritime security, armament, military training and cyber space security were discussed. He added that the meeting was also preparatory to tomorrow's summit between GCC leaders and U.S. President Barack Obama in Riyadh. He explained that the two sides discussed the security situations in the region, citing the disputes and wars endangering the region as well as the international efforts to fight Daesh organization. The GCC ministers expressed concern over Iran's practices to destabilize the region's security and stability, its interference in the domestic affairs of the region's countries and support for terrorist organizations, he said. He added that the U.S. Secretary of Defense vowed commitment to stand by the side of the GCC against such practices, and provide training to the GCC armed forces through joint bilateral or joint land, air, air defense and naval and military exercises to upgrade the battle preparedness for the armed forces of the GCC countries. He also cited the military medicine, supplying and communications as other areas for cooperation between the two countries. --More
