Obama’s Saudi Arabia Meeting: We Need ‘Consistent’ Communication

President Barack Obama delivers a speech following a U.S.-Gulf Cooperation Council Summit in Riyadh on April 21, 2016. (Jim Watson/ AFP Getty Images) / AFP / Jim Watson Photo credit should read JIM WATSON/AFP/Getty Images

President Barack Obama said better communication is needed with the United States’s Gulf Arab allies, and his current meetings in Saudi Arabia are part of the solution. 

Obama met with with leaders from the six-member Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in Saudi Arabia’s capital, Riyadh, on April 21.

The United States and its Gulf allies vowed to keep working together against terrorism.

“We remain united in our fight to destroy ISIL or Daesh, which is a threat to all of us,” said Obama after the U.S.-GCC summit.

Obama also addressed concerns over oil.

“The United States and the GCC will launch a new high-level economic dialogue with a focus on adjusting to lower oil prices, increasing our economic ties and supporting GCC reforms as they work to provide jobs and opportunities to their young people and all of their citizens,” he said. 

The United States and the Gulf nations—Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman—also vowed to de-escalate regional conflicts.

President Barack Obama (C-L) attends a meeting with Saudi King Salman (C) and Saudi Defence Minister and Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (C-R) during the US-Gulf Cooperation Council Summit in Riyadh, on April 21, 2016. Jim Watson/AFP/Getty Images

Obama said the developing of a new government in Libya, peace talks to end the conflict in Yemen, and the nuclear deal with Iran last year would not have been possible without the Gulf allies.

The president also called for “consistent, institutionalized communication” with nations in the region because “the possibilities of misunderstanding increase when there’s so much activity taking place.”

Obama said the leaders have come to an agreement to enhance humanitarian efforts in Syria and Iraq.

He especially focused on Syria, saying there are still violations of a fragile cease-fire agreement in the nation. The U.S. and Gulf allies agree the conflict-ridden nation must have a transitional government, a new constitution, and free elections to move away from President Bashar Assad’s regime.

Obama also said the leaders and the United States oppose Iran’s destabilizing activities in the region.  

After his meetings with Gulf leaders, Obama is scheduled to travel to Britain and Germany, the final two stops on his trip.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.