KUWAIT CITY, Nov 9: The Interior Ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries have unanimously given their approval for the implementation of the unified Gulf tourist visa project. This significant decision was announced during the 40th meeting of the GCC Interior Ministers held in Muscat.

As a part of this initiative, the first phase has been launched to electronically link traffic violations across GCC nations, contributing to a more integrated approach to regional travel logistics, reports Al-Seyassah daily. Jassim Al-Budaiwi, the Secretary-General of the GCC, expressed his satisfaction with the progress made in Gulf security cooperation and hailed the unified Gulf tourist visa project as a new achievement for the GCC. He emphasized that the project is a testament to the sound directives of the GCC countries, reflecting their commitment to enhancing regional collaboration.

The unified Gulf tourist visa project is anticipated to become operational between 2024 and 2025, covering all six nations in the GCC. The primary goal of this system is to streamline travel processes and fortify continuous communication and coordination among the member states. During the meeting, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior for Kuwait, Sheikh Talal Al-Khaled, took the opportunity to renew Kuwait’s steadfast and supportive stance for the Palestinian people.

He acknowledged the strides made in joint cooperation among Gulf countries and emphasized the importance of combating cross-border organized crimes through effective coordination, integration, and information exchange. Furthermore, Sheikh Talal Al-Khaled highlighted the increasing focus on cybersecurity to protect the gains of digital transformation from piracy operations.

This reflects a commitment to ensuring the security and integrity of digital systems in the face of emerging threats. In summary, the decisions made during the GCC Interior Ministers meeting underscore the commitment of member states to strengthen regional cooperation, enhance travel facilitation, and address contemporary challenges, including cybersecurity and organized crime. The unified Gulf tourist visa project stands out as a landmark initiative that aligns with the broader objectives of the GCC in promoting unity and collaboration among member nations.