Manama: The 46th Gulf Cooperation Council Summit concluded in Manama on Wednesday evening, with the participation of GCC leaders and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni as the guest of honor. The summit agenda focused on strengthening Gulf economic integration, enhancing defense and security cooperation, and accelerating digital transformation initiatives.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, in the final communiqu© known as the Sakhir Declaration, GCC leaders reaffirmed their commitment to respecting the sovereignty of all regional states, rejecting the use or threat of force, and stressing that the security and stability of GCC countries is indivisible. They emphasized that any violation of a member state's sovereignty constitutes a direct threat to collective security.

Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa emphasized the importance of political and diplomatic solutions to regional issues, particularly the Palestinian cause, and called for advancing the Gaza peace plan to establish an independent Palestinian state with East Quds as its capital in accordance with international resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative. He also underlined the need to protect maritime navigation, safeguard international trade, and keep the region free of weapons of mass destruction, in line with the GCC's security and defense strategies.

Kuwait's Emir Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah highlighted the role of collective security in maintaining regional stability, stressing unity and cooperation to overcome challenges. Meanwhile, GCC Secretary-General Jasem Mohammed Al-Budaiwi reaffirmed that the Palestinian cause remains a central priority for GCC nations and called for ending the Israeli occupation and establishing a Palestinian state.