Doha, November 04 (QNA) - HE Speaker of the Shura Council Hassan bin Abdullah Al Ghanim has underscored that Gulf security is a collective responsibility requiring stronger solidarity, deeper integration, and combined efforts to fend off shared threats, as Iranian attacks on GCC nations and threats targeting their civilian and critical infrastructure, energy carriers, and maritime security highlight the need for a coordinated regional response.

In a related context, HE Al Ghanim reaffirmed that the State of Qatar stands with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in fending off Houthi attacks targeting its critical facilities and civilian infrastructure, which threaten the security and stability of the region. He reaffirmed Qatar's support for all measures the Kingdom takes to safeguard its security and sovereignty, stressing that such measures are part and parcel of the security of all GCC states.

HE Al Ghanim stressed the importance of protecting critical facilities and ensuring the security of waterways and freedom of maritime navigation, particularly in the Strait of Hormuz, Bab Al Mandab, and the Red Sea, given the direct implications for energy security and the stability of its supplies, as well as the international economy and commerce.

HE the Speaker said the State of Qatar, led by HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, believes in the axiom that the security and stability of countries in the region require combining adherence to the legitimate right to defend sovereignty and interests with sustained diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions, while prioritizing the language of dialogue and peaceful solutions.

HE the Speaker made the remarks at the 20th regular meeting of the Speakers of the Shura, Representatives, National, and Ummah Councils of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states, convened via videoconference on Wednesday with the participation of HE GCC Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi.

  On Gulf parliamentary cooperation, HE the Speaker underscored the importance of operationalizing the role of parliamentary diplomacy, ramping up consultations, coordinating positions, and formulating a shared vision that would strengthen the GCC's presence at regional and international parliamentary forums.

He also called for a review and development of the institutional framework governing the GCC General Secretariat's operations, urging that the parliamentary dimension be accorded greater priority within the broader framework of joint Gulf action. Such efforts, he said, would strengthen coordination among legislative councils and ensure follow-up on the implementation of initiatives and recommendations issued at their meetings.

It is quite imperative to boost cooperation with Arab and Islamic legislative councils, as well as develop and overhaul the operational mechanisms of the Arab Parliament, HE the Speaker noted, explaining that this would significantly augment the Parliament's efficiency and deepen the principles of governance, transparency, and accountability.

In this connection, he extended his congratulations to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on its assumption of the presidency of the Arab Parliament.

In addition, HE the Speaker reiterated the centrality of the Palestinian cause, stressing the importance of ending the anguish of the Palestinian people and halting Israeli crimes against them, culminating in a fair and comprehensive solution that ensures their legitimate rights, foremost among which is the establishment of a Palestinian state on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

HE Al Ghanim extended his thanks and gratitude to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for hosting this meeting, to the Kingdom of Bahrain for its efforts throughout its chairmanship of the previous session, and to the GCC General Secretariat for its efforts in backing joint Gulf action.

The Speaker expressed hope that the outcomes of this meeting would boost Gulf parliamentary coordination and turn joint positions into concrete steps.

In their remarks at the meeting, Their Excellencies the Speakers of the GCC legislative councils underscored the imperative of maintaining a united Gulf front, bolstering regional solidarity, and intensifying joint coordination to confront mounting challenges. They emphatically reaffirmed that the security of GCC nations is indivisible.

They likewise stressed the importance of safeguarding national sovereignty and critical infrastructure, protecting maritime navigation, and ensuring the uninterrupted flow of energy supplies.

Their Excellencies also underscored the importance of advancing Gulf parliamentary diplomacy, harmonizing positions at regional and international forums, and expanding cooperation with international parliamentary institutions, reemphasizing the need to prioritize dialogue and peaceful solutions while supporting the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people.

The GCC nations remain united in fending off attacks targeting their security and stability, strongly condemning the Iranian assaults on the GCC states, along with the Houthi attacks on the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, according to a statement that grew out of the meeting as it wound up, in which the conferees underlined their unity.

They reaffirmed that the GCC states are entitled to defend their sovereignty, security and interests under the United Nations Charter.

The statement underscored the criticality of ensuring the security of the Strait of Hormuz and Bab Al Mandeb, as well as the Red Sea, along with the safety and freedom of maritime traffic as a shared international responsibility.

  It asserted the importance of backing efforts to reach a political solution to the Yemeni crisis, the centrality of the Palestinian cause, and the importance of achieving a just and comprehensive peace based on the two-state solution.

They concurred on the decision to adopt strengthening unified parliamentary action in addressing crises and risks and ensuring the security of supply chains as the theme of the 2027 Joint Gulf Seminar, which will be hosted and organized by the Shura Council of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Their Excellencies likewise agreed on the proposal for strategic dialogue between GCC legislative councils and the European Parliament and commended the cooperation mechanism signed with the parliaments of Latin American and Caribbean countries. (QNA)