US President Donald Trump prepares for a family photo with Saudi Arabia’s King heads of state at the GCC summit in Riyadh.

:: The United States and the Gulf Cooperation Council released a joint statement on the agreements reached during a summit held in Riyadh on Sunday.

Key points of the communique listed below:

1. At the invitation of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia, leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries and the United States of America held their meeting today in Riyadh to reaffirm the strategic partnership between the two sides.

2. During the meeting, regional and international issues of common concern were discussed. The leaders agreed on the importance of concerted efforts to achieve stability, security and prosperity.

3. Leaders reviewed the significant progress achieved since the Second Summit on the 21st of April 2016 in Riyadh, including measures taken to strengthen cooperation between the two sides and deepen their strategic partnership.

4. Leaders expressed their commitment to tackling the root causes of crises in the Middle East, as well as taking more urgent steps to intensify efforts to defeat the terrorist organization ISIS and Al-Qaeda and opposing the destabilizing Iranian interventions as well as mitigating regional conflicts in an effort to seek solutions.

5. They also stressed the strengthening of the ability of the GCC countries to deal with threats from any source, to confront Iran’s destabilizing activities and to work together to reduce sectarianism and regional tensions that fuel instability.

6. The leaders appreciated the agreement reached to establish a terrorist financing center in Riyadh, which will open the door for other countries to join in the future.

7. Leaders reviewed the achievements of the joint working groups set up in implementation of the first summit in the areas of defense against ballistic missiles, armament, training, combating terrorism, maritime security, cybersecurity and infrastructure protection, as well as countering Iranian interference in the region.

8. The leaders also affirmed their commitment to continue close coordination between the GCC and the United States of America on issues of common interest through the meetings of foreign and defense ministers from both sides.

9. Leaders have instructed the concerned agencies in their respective countries that the Joint Working Groups shall meet at least twice a year in order to accelerate the partnership on combating terrorism, facilitate the transfer of sensitive defense capabilities, address ballistic missiles, increase military readiness and cybersecurity to ensure the continuity of these activities and accelerate the implementation of the decisions contained in the joint statement of the second Gulf-American Summit on April 21st 2016.

10. They called upon the concerned bodies on both sides to strengthen the framework of their partnership, including the GCC-US Strategic Cooperation Forum

11. The leaders stressed their common interest in maintaining the security and stability of the region and working together to face all the security threats facing the countries of the region, including the threats posed by the terrorist organizations.

12. The American side affirmed its commitment to defend the security of the GCC countries against any external threat. The leaders pledged to enhance security cooperation and their shared responsibility to address the risks facing the region.

13. The leaders sought to develop a common vision for dealing with the most pressing conflicts in the region.

14. They affirmed their support for the common principles that the solution to armed civil conflicts in the region can only be achieved through political and peaceful means, respecting the sovereignty of States, non-interference in their internal affairs and the need to protect minorities and human rights in conflict-ridden States.

15. The leaders renewed their determination to continue joint efforts to combat terrorism, eliminate its organizations, prosecute its elements and dry its sources of funding.

16. They stressed the need to work together to confront terrorist threats and to combat the financing of terrorism with further measures, including the protection of infrastructure facilities and the strengthening of border and aviation security.

17. The United States welcomed the establishment of the Saudi led Islamic Military Coalition against Terrorism, as part of the international war against terrorism.

18. Leaders commended the efforts of the international coalition to combat the terrorist organization ISIS in Syria and Iraq led by the United States of America, and stressed the need for concerted efforts to deliver humanitarian assistance to refugees and displaced Iraqis and Syrians.

19. The leaders expressed their categorical rejection for the continuous Iranian interference in the internal affairs of the GCC States and the region. They demanded full compliance with the rules of international law and the basic principles and concepts based on the idea of good neighborliness, respect for the sovereignty of States and the non-use of threat or force. They called on Iran to take real and practical steps to build confidence and resolve its differences with its neighbors by peaceful means.

20. The leaders expressed their condemnation and denunciation for the continuous Iranian interference in the internal affairs of the countries of the region as a violation of the sovereignty of the GCC States, and Iran’s attempt to spread sectarian strife among GCC citizens, including the Kingdom of Bahrain, by supporting violent extremist elements, training agents, smuggling weapons and explosives , inciting sectarian strife, and making provocative statements at various levels to destabilize security, order and stability, in contravention with the principle of good neighborliness and non-interference in internal affairs in accordance with international principles, laws, charters and norms.

21. They also stressed the need for Iran to abide by the nuclear agreement, and expressed their deep concern about Iran’s continued firing of ballistic missiles as a clear violation of UN Security Council resolutions.

22. Leaders committed themselves to working together to achieve a comprehensive peace between Palestine and Israel. The leaders agreed to do their utmost to provide the right environment to advance the peace process.

23. The leaders affirmed their firm position to preserve the unity, stability and territorial integrity of Syria and expressed their support for the efforts of the UN Secretary-General’s envoy to find a political solution based on the Geneva Declaration 1 and Security Council Resolution 2254. They also stressed the need to lift the siege on besieged Syrian cities, deliver humanitarian aid to affected areas and besieged civilians, stop the shelling of populated areas, and release detainees.

24. The leaders affirmed their full commitment to the unity of Yemen, respect for its sovereignty and independence, and rejection of any interference in its internal affairs. They also stressed the importance of a political solution according to the Gulf Initiative and its implementing mechanism and the implementation of Security Council resolution 2216 (2015) expressing their deep appreciation for the efforts of the UN Special Envoy to Yemen to resume consultations between the different Yemeni parties with in an effort to reach a political solution according to these references.

25. The leaders affirmed their commitment to work with the international community to prevent the continued supply of weapons to Houthi militias and their allies in violation of UN Security Council Resolution 2216. They also stressed the need for collective efforts to confront al-Qaeda and ISIS in the Arabian Peninsula.

26. They also expressed their concern about the continuation of the Huthi militias in the confiscation of humanitarian and relief materials which exacerbated the humanitarian and economic situation in Yemen. They welcomed the results of the donor conference held in Geneva on April 25th 2017. They stressed the need for a speedy fulfillment of the commitments made by donor countries. The leaders look forward to working together to restore security and stability, rehabilitate the Yemeni economy and restore public services after reaching a political solution.

27. The leaders expressed their hope that the process of liberating Mosul will lead to the return of the displaced to their cities and villages and to the establishment of a comprehensive political reform process that brings together the Iraqi people without exclusion or division to meet the aspirations of the Iraqi people.

28. It was agreed to strengthen and support economic relations in various fields, including trade and investment, energy and alternative energy, industry, technology, agriculture, transportation and infrastructure development, in line with the development vision adopted by GCC countries.

29. The leaders agreed to hold an annual summit in this regard to review the progress made in the implementation of what was agreed upon during this Summit and to explore ways to strengthen the strategic partnership between the GCC and the United States of America.