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

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Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan holds a joint press conference with his Indonesian counterpart Retno Marsudi. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan holds a joint press conference with his Indonesian counterpart Retno Marsudi. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan holds a joint press conference with his Indonesian counterpart Retno Marsudi. (SPA)
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Updated 20 October 2023
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GCC and ASEAN nations to hold biennial summit: Saudi FM says

  • Prince Faisal bin Farhan said the GCC and ASEAN are considered among the most important economic groups in the world
  • He stressed the consensus of Gulf states and ASEAN countries on the importance of an immediate cease-fire in Gaza

RIYADH: 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.


Saudi Arabia stops ballistic missiles aimed at Prince Sultan Air Base

Updated 1 min 56 sec ago
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Saudi Arabia stops ballistic missiles aimed at Prince Sultan Air Base

  • Saudi Arabia’s cabinet on Tuesday strongly condemned Iranian attacks targeting the Kingdom

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia shot down seven ballistic missiles, the defense ministry said early Wednesday.
Six of the missiles were aimed at Prince Sultan Air Base, and the other was intercepted while heading to the Eastern Province.
Nine drones were shot down in Al-Kharj, Hafar Al-Batin, and other parts of the Eastern Province, the ministry said.
The war, launched by the US and Israel on Iran, has escalated, impacting regional stability and sparking a global energy crisis.
Saudi Arabia’s cabinet on Tuesday strongly condemned Iranian attacks targeting the Kingdom, Gulf states and other countries in the region, saying they threaten regional security and violate international law.
The cabinet session, chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman via videoconference, reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s right to take all necessary measures to protect its security, sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Brent crude hit a historic $120 a barrel on Monday before settling back down to $90 a barrel on Tuesday.
Amin Nasser, CEO of Aramco, the world’s top oil exporter, told reporters: “There would be catastrophic consequences for the world’s oil markets and the longer the disruption goes on ... the more drastic the ‌consequences for the ‌global economy.” 
The White House said that gas prices will plummet once US objectives in the war are reached.
The conflict could stretch on for months despite US President Donald Trump saying that it could be drawing to a close. But Iran’s Revolutionary Guard has said it will end when they decide.