The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is considering setting up a joint operations room to fight terrorism, smuggling and infiltration, according to a statement issued by Kuwait’s Interior Ministry.
The statement was issued following a two-day meeting of GCC border security chiefs. The joint operations room, said the statement, is necessary to boost cooperation and a swift exchange of security information.
The security chiefs have not yet made a final decision regarding the joint move, but stressed the need to further strengthen their cooperation and exchange of information.
In May 2004, GCC members – Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) – signed a security agreement to fight terror. Chairman of the GCC ‘Abd A-Rahman Al-‘Atiyya said at the time, that this agreement was one of the most important agreements since the establishment of the GCC in 1981, adding that it would have a great impact on the six countries’ internal security and policies.
The GCC countries closely cooperate in many fields including security, economy, and education.