RIYADH: The secretary-general of the Gulf Cooperation Council stressed the importance of the strategic partnership between the bloc and the US in enhancing maritime security in the region and securing freedom of maritime navigation on Thursday. Jassem Mohamed Albudaiwi stressed the importance of joint work to maintain the security of waterways and maritime navigation in a way that guarantees freedom of navigation and the free flow of trade to other countries during a meeting in Riyadh with the commander of the US Naval Forces Central Command and the US 5th Fleet and Combined Maritime Forces, Vice Admiral Brad Cooper. The two officials also discussed a number of issues related to maritime security in the Arabian Gulf region, strengthening GCC-US cooperation, and working with international and regional partners for this purpose.