GCC and ASEAN nations to hold biennial summit: Saudi FM says

Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan announced on Friday the establishment of a summit of leaders from the Gulf Cooperation Council and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations that will be held every two years to strengthen cooperation between the blocs.

In a joint press conference with Indonesia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi following the conclusion of a GCC-ASEAN summit in Riyadh, Prince Faisal explained that both groups were keen to increase joint cooperation, given their shared commonalities and the opportunities they provide.

He said that the GCC and ASEAN “are considered among the most important economic groups in the world due to their cooperation, and we look forward to this summit strengthening this cooperation, coordination, economic and development work, and supporting the laying of the foundations for joint multilateral action and economic development.”

Regarding the situation in Gaza, the foreign minister stressed the consensus of Gulf states and ASEAN countries on the importance of an immediate cease-fire, and the need for humanitarian aid to be provided.