MUSCAT: Kuwait’s First Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Talal Al-Khaled Al-Sabah stressed Wednesday that the GCC has made great efforts in joint cooperation, which has had a great impact in raising the efficiency of security services and maintaining security and stability in the GCC countries.

Delivering a speech at the 40th meeting of GCC Interior Ministers at Muscat Sheikh Talal Al-Khaled called for continuing to strengthen the frameworks of cooperation and integration among the GCC countries to confront the challenges and move forward in combating cross-border organized crimes.

He also noted that there are those targeting the GCC countries with cybercrimes by organized international gangs and professional hackers, which requires enhancing cybersecurity systems.

Kuwait has established a specialized center for cybersecurity and working to attract national competencies, he added. He stressed the need to exert maximum cooperation and exchange of information between agencies concerned with cybersecurity so that the Gulf countries are resistant to security penetration of information and data.

Meanwhile, speakers and MPs of the GCC parliaments and Shura Councils expressed their anguish at the denunciation and destruction, forced displacement of Palestinian brothers in the Gaza Strip by Zionist occupation forces.

In a final communique read out by GCC Secretary General Jasem Al-Budaiwi at the end of the speakers and presidents of the parliaments and Shura Councils’ meeting held in Doha, they stressed their support to the Palestinian cause and the Palestinians’ right to restore their legitimate rights regarding the establishment of an independent Palestinian state in line with the international resolutions, the Arab Peace Initiative, a two-state solution, the refugees’ rights in accordance with the UN General Assembly Resolution No 149, and the release of captives.

The attendees were also briefed on the measures and steps taken on enhancing relations and sharing visits with the European Parliament, and the Latin and Caribbean group. In addition, they covered a mechanism on unifying the positions of the GCC member states towards the issues discussed at the international parliaments to achieve the GCC countries’ goals, it noted.

The communique thanked Qatar’s Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad for the warm reception and hospitality that had a positive impact on making the conference successful.

Speaker of Kuwait’s National Assembly Ahmad Al-Saadoun took part in the meeting. The delegation of Kuwaiti parliamentary caucus included MPs Hamad Al-Matar, Fahad Jamea, Shuaib Haabn and Dawood Maraie, as well as Secretary Mohammad Al-Mahan and Treasurer Hamad Al-Ubaid and others. — KUNA