Leaders from the 10 member states of ASEAN-GCC have arrived in Riyadh to meet their Gulf counterparts in the Saudi Arabian capital for their first joint summit.
Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vietnam’s Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính and a high-ranking delegation from South East Asia held a meeting ahead of the summit with Saudi Arabia Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman.
The stage is set for the GCC-ASEAN summit in Riyadh. Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and some Southeast Asian leaders who arrived on Thursday held talks aimed at fostering joint cooperation and also reviewed the latest regional and international developments.
The Director General of the Saudi Arabia Ministry of Media, Hussein Alchmari expressed optimism that this year’s summit, which is the first for the 10 Southeast Asian countries, will foster deeper co-operation between Saudi Arabia and Asia.
He also said Saudi is ready to open up to the rest of the world and create mutually beneficial relationships.
On the Israel-Hamas conflict he said the situation in Gaza may have stalled the progress made by israel to establish diplomatic relations with Saudi Arabia.
He said global efforts should be geared towards creating and sustaining peace in all parts of the globe.
British Prime minister Rishi Sunak met the Saudi Crown Prince Thursday in Riyadh to discuss ways to end the Middle East conflict where more than 4000 people have been killed.
(Editor: Ken Eseni)
