The GCC summit called for greater regional economic and defense integration as the meeting chaired by King Salman came to a close in Riyadh on Tuesday. The final statement, read by GCC General Secretary Abdullatif Al Zayani, called for finalizing legislation for financial and monetary unity by 2025, according to the meeting's final communique.
The statement also called for boosting military and security cooperation to maintain regional security.
“The leaders of the GCC countries have affirmed today their keenness to preserve the strength, cohesion and strength of the GCC …  as an oasis of stability, security, economic prosperity and social peace,” the statement said. 
The statement said the GCC states “stand unified against the attacks against Saudi oil facilities” and that this reflected the Gulf defense agreement that says “aggression against a member state would be considered as aggression against all the GCC states.” “The highest goal of the Cooperation Council is to achieve coordination, integration and interdependence among the member states in all fields in order to reach their unity,” it said.
The 40th Supreme Council meeting was chaired by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz, in his opening remarks, His Majesty said the GCC had managed to overcome many crises that the region has faced. HM said the current set of challenges “call for concerted efforts to confront them.”

In attendance was Kuwait's Emir Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmed, Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa, UAE's Vice President and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Oman's Deputy Prime Minister Fahd bin Mahmoud Al-Said and Qatar's Prime Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser Al-Thani.
“The Iranian regime continues its hostile actions to undermine security and stability and support terrorism,” HM added. HM said the GCC must “work with the international community to stop the interference of this regime, deal seriously with its nuclear program and the program to develop ballistic missiles.”

“Our region today is undergoing circumstances and challenges that call for concentrated efforts to confront them. The Iranian regime continues its aggressive policies to undermine the security and stability of the region, and continues to support terrorism,” HM King Salman said.
Furthermore, HM called on the GCC states to unite and preserve their countries, as well as the interests of their people, calling on the international community to take the necessary measures to ensure energy supplies and freedom of maritime navigation are secured.
“We cannot fail, during this meeting, to reaffirm our position on the Palestinian cause and the right of the Palestinian people to establish their independent state with East Jerusalem as its capital,” HM King Salman added.

Saudi Arabia welcomes the Yemeni government’s efforts in reaching the Riyadh Agreement, HM the King said, stressing the importance of a political solution in Yemen. HM reaffirmed that the Kingdom will continue to support Yemen in order to ensure the country’s security and stability.​