RIYADH — Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman enjoys close and intimate relationship with his brothers — the leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states. The King is greatly appreciated by the Gulf leaders for his leadership and historical roles in preserving the Gulf entity, and ensuring its security and defending its achievements. With the approaching 41st session of the Supreme Council of the GCC, to be held in Riyadh on Jan. 5, 2021, King Salman has extended invitation to other Gulf leaders of the GCC to attend the summit. As an extension of the active role of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in supporting the march of Gulf cooperation, the vision of King Salman came in 2015 in accordance with a strategy to achieve the desired integration between the member states. The contents of the Monarch’s vision paved the way for the Gulf entity, looking ahead to the desired goal by overcoming the complexities in political and economic arenas, as this vision stems from its belief in the prominence of the Gulf entity and its role in the region and the world. The vision also emphasizes the importance of integration between the Gulf member states, which calls for completing the components of economic unity and the joint defense and security systems and developing a unified and effective foreign policy for the council that preserves its interests and gains, avoids regional and international conflicts, and meets the aspirations and ambitions of its citizens. There is no doubt that the King’s vision to strengthen joint Gulf action has come out of his keenness on unity and protection from external challenges facing the GCC countries and the region, in addition to achieving strategic and economic partnerships. In recognition of King Salman’s keenness on communicating with other leaders of the GCC states within bilateral tracks of which the aim is to promote the process of cooperation and joint action to achieve the interests and aspirations of its people, apart from holding the annual summits. The Gulf states were prominent stations during King Salman’s tours in December 2016, and his discussions with the leaders of the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait, reflected his keenness to consult and exchange views on issues of common interest in addition to the developments of regional and international issues. Following the approach of his predecessors — the Kings of Saudi Arabia — King Salman, along with other Gulf leaders, is keen on the permanence of the Gulf system, overcoming what undermines the brotherhood and strengthening of relations between the governments and peoples of the GCC countries. The King believes in the “principle of consultation” in managing various Gulf issues and negotiating with other leaders of the GCC states, and this is evident in his continuous receptions of Gulf officials with the aim of coordinating positions to face regional challenges and threats. The achievements of GCC clearly show the sincere efforts of the Gulf leaders and what they have attained and are exerting to enhance the Gulf"s position globally.