In a Press statement issued after his arrival in Riyadh to attend the GCC Summit, Shaikh Khalifa said: “We strongly believe that our meeting will form a significant addition to the already strong integration and coordination among us in a way that would further strengthen our joint GCC action and achieve the aspirations of our people.”
Shaikh Khalifa prayed to God to make the meeting a success and to lead them on the right course to achieve their peoples’ aspirations.
Earlier, on arrival at the Riyadh Air Base, Shaikh Khalifa was received by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia, and Saudi Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz.
Also at the Riyadh Air Base to receive Shaikh Khalifa were the Governor of Riyadh Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz, Saudi Minister of Culture and Information Iyad bin Amin Madani, who is also the head of the honorary mission accompanying the UAE President, GCC Secretary-General Abdul Rahman bin Hamad Al Atiyya and UAE Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Al Asri Saeed Al Dhahiri.
After inspecting the guard of honour Shaikh Khalifa went to the VIP lounge of the air base and had a chat with the Saudi king before he was driven to his residence at the Al Dar’eya Palace.
Shaikh Khalifa is accompanied to the summit by a high-level delegation, including National Security Adviser Shaikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Interior Minister Lt.-Gen. Shaikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister for Presidential Affairs Shaikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of State for Financial and Industrial Affairs Dr Mohammed Khalfan bin Kharbash and Deputy Minister for Presidential Affairs Ahmed Juma Al Zaabi.
Meanwhile, Shaikh Khalifa received at his residence here the Amir of Qatar, His Highness Shaikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. They exchanged views on a number of issues on the agenda of the 9th GCC Summit. They also discussed unique fraternal ties between the two countries and ways to boost them in all areas.
Shaikh Khalifa later visited His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain at the latter’s residence here at the Al Dar’eya Palace. They discussed a number of issues on the agenda of the summit. They also discussed the unique fraternal ties between the two countries.
Shaikh Khalifa also paid a visit to the Amir of Kuwait, His Highness Shaikh Sabah Al Ahmed Al Jaber Al Sabah.
They conferred on a number of regional and international issues in addition to issues tabled on the GCC summit.
Shaikh Khalifa also met met Oman’s Deputy Prime Minister Fahd bin Saeed bin Mahmoud Al Saeed.
