Saudi Gazette report

JEDDAH — The AlUla Declaration has been welcomed by many countries and organizations including the United States.

US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo has welcomed the progress achieved by the AlUla Declaration issued at the Gulf Cooperation Council summit held on Tuesday, describing it as "a positive step toward restoring Gulf and Arab unity."

In a statement on Tuesday, Pompeo said, "We are encouraged by the breakthrough made with the Al Ula Declaration today at the GCC summit, which marks a positive step toward restoring Gulf and Arab unity.”

“We have long stressed that a truly united Gulf will bring added prosperity through the free flow of goods and services and more security to its people. We welcome the pledge today to restore cooperation in military, economic, health, counter-corruption, and cultural initiatives."

"We hope the Gulf countries will continue to reconcile their differences. Restoring full diplomatic relations is imperative for all parties in the region to unite against common threats. We are stronger when we stand together," he added.

He also extended his thanks to Kuwait for its mediation efforts and support in resolving the Gulf dispute.

Qatar welcomed the declaration, affirming in a statement that the summit at this decisive moment is an extension of the joint work process in its Gulf, Arab and Islamic framework, and in favor of the supreme interest in a way that strengthens the bonds of friendliness and brotherhood between people based on principles of good neighborliness and mutual respect.

South Korea also welcomed the final communiqué aimed at strengthening Gulf and Arab solidarity and cooperation, as well as the agreement to open the airspace and borders between Saudi Arabia and Qatar.

The Korean foreign ministry spokesperson said in a statement, "The government expresses thanks to the government of Kuwait for its efforts aiming to promote integration in the Gulf region''.

“The Republic of Korea would also continue cooperation with the GCC member states and other regional partners to promote peace and stability in the Middle East", the statement added.

Late on Wednesday, Sudan China, Japan, Spain, and Italy also joined others in welcoming the outcome of the summit.

The Sudanese foreign ministry in a statement expressed its appreciation for the confirmation of the council’s continued support for Sudan to enhance its security and stability, praising the distinguished relations that bind Sudan with the GCC countries.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying praised the successful GCC summit, welcoming AlUla Declaration and confirming China's support for the GCC efforts to strengthen solidarity and cooperation to promote regional peace, stability, and development.

The Japanese foreign ministry affirmed that unity between the Gulf states is important to ensure peace and stability in the Middle East, expressing its hope that this agreement will lead to more relations and achieve stability in the region.

The Spanish foreign ministry expressed its deep appreciation for the efforts made by Kuwait to achieve unity in the Arab Gulf region.

The statement expressed the Spanish government's confidence that restoring cooperation would contribute to regional stability and benefit the citizens of the region.

In a statement, the Italian foreign ministry expressed its appreciation for the continued efforts of Kuwait and the US to achieve this reconciliation and the constructive commitment of the parties to overcome the dispute.

The statement stressed that the reconciliation of the internal dispute of the GCC countries is a central pillar for enhancing stability and security in the region.

Meanwhile, the Speaker of the Arab Parliament Adel Al-Asoumi praised the final communiqué.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Al-Asoumi valued the sincere efforts made by Saudi Arabia under the leadership of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman and Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman in order to provide all the means and requirements for the success of this summit.

He stressed that this exceptional summit in its timing and importance fulfilled the aspirations of the peoples of the GCC states in achieving solidarity, development and prosperity, and, at the same time, reflected the keenness of the leaders of the GCC states and their representatives to preserve the entity of the council.

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) also welcomed the signing of the AlUla Declaration.

OIC's Secretary-General Dr. Yousef bin Ahmad Al-Othaimeen praised the efforts of Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad, may God have mercy on him, and the follow-up of Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad, in addition to the efforts made by the US.

He appreciated the efforts of the GCC's leaders to preserve this entity in order to achieve the interests of the peoples of their countries, in addition, to preserve the security and stability of the region, and advance it to meet the challenges.

The head of the Presidential Council of Libya, Fayez Al-Sarraj, has welcomed the outcome of the GCC summit.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, he expressed his hope that the summit's outcomes would lead to Arab unification of ranks and contribute effectively to Libya's security and stability.