For his part, US Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter expressed happiness over participation in the meeting and the common willingness for further cooperation in the fight against terrorism and seeking for stability and security of the region. He also expressed thanks and appreciation to the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia under the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud; Crown Prince Mohammed bin Naif bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Premier and Interior Minister and Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Second Deputy Premier and Defense Minister for hosting this meeting. Carter also praised the distinguished cooperation relations between the United States and the Arabian Gulf countries over the years, which have contributed to the development of the security areas in the region and enhancing the security at all levels, adding that "Our concerns now are focused on crises that Iraq, Syria and Yemen are facing. The GCC Secretary General Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al-Zayani also delivered a speech during which he praised the willingness of both sides to further the strengthening of cooperation and friendship relations in various fields, pointing out the importance of defense cooperation between the GCC countries and US in the light of the current circumstances and security challenges being experienced by the region, including the dangers of terrorism and the continued Iranian interventions to destabilize the security and stability of the region as well as sponsoring and funding the terrorist organizations. Al-Zayani stressed that the GCC countries will continue to maintain their international obligations and responsibilities for meeting the challenges and crises that threaten the stability of the region. --More 14:17 LOCAL TIME 11:17 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/w