Bahraini King Hamad bin Isa al Khalifa said that the first summit of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the United Kingdom in Bahrain will push forward the march of historical cooperation that started more than two hundred years ago, the Bahraini news agency BNA reported.

"Holding such a summit is a sound decision in view of the importance of strategic alliances in today's world to face various challenges, as well as the need for becoming closer and maintaining coordination to safeguard our achievements as people and nations that embrace development, peace and stability," he said at the summit's opening session attended by the leaders of the member countries and British Prime Minister Theresa May, the guest of honor. 

"We look forward to a fruitful outcome of our discussions today and seek wider horizons of cooperation, between the two sides, to reach new agreements and valuable decisions to build on what has already been achieved, through the exchange of views and expertise, in many fields, especially the political, defense, security and economic fields," he said.

The talks also focus on developing partnership between the public and private sectors, he added.

Source: MENA