Bahrain's parliament speaker calls for joint action in sector

Current regional and international conditions should prompt GCC states activate joint parliamentary action and update role of relevant diplomatic, political and media policies, said the Bahraini parliament speaker on Saturday. Khalifa Al-Thahrani, addressing inauguration of the sixth regular meeting of chairmen of GCC legislative assemblies, called for working out a common GCC parliamentary-media strategy for more effective interaction with parliamentary and legislative authorities at the international, Arab and international levels. Such a policy has become necessary and can be helpful for realizing the objective of establishing the GCC federation, called by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz, he said. On agenda of the meeting, Al-Thahrani indicated the conferees would ponder means of developing parliamentary tasks in the GCC countries. Chairman of the Saudi Shura Council Dr. Abdullah Al-Shaikh said the GCC legislative assemblies have contributed to development of the regional countries. Citizens of the GCC countries have proven that they enjoy a high level of awareness vis a vis plots to sow seeds of discords, he said, re-stressing the great need for sustainable unity among the countries of the council. Al-Shaikh congratulated Kuwait on recent parliamentary elections, expressing good wishes for the new National Assembly of the council member states. For his part, the GCC assistant secretary general for legal affairs, Hamad Al-Merri, expressed satisfaction at outcome of the GCC works last year. Although the GCC march has been successful at various levels, the leaders and peoples of the Gulf countries aspire to greater achievements. Al-Merri also congratulated Kuwait on the NA polls and expressed hope the country would witness further progress and prosperity, under leadership of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.