Kuwait: The leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) issued a communique at the conclusion of the 34th GCC summit. It contained the following:
- A decision to set up a Gulf Academy for Strategic and Security Studies, whose headquarters will be in the UAE.
- A decision to set up a unified GCC military command and assign the Joint Defence Council to take necessary implementation measures.
- A rejection of the continued occupation of the three UAE islands of Abu Musa, Greater Tunb and Lesser Tunb by Iran. Support to the UAE’s sovereignty over the three islands was emphasised, considering any practices carried out by Iran on the three islands null and void, as they will not change the historical and legal facts that demonstrate the UAE’s sovereignty over the three islands.
- A stressing of the importance of joint cooperation, noting that it should be expanded to serve the GCC states and peoples. Satisfaction was expressed for the status of GCC economies in terms of continuous growth and comprehensive development in various fields.
- Endorsement of a number of unified rules regarding the integration of financial markets of the member states.
- A statement that the leaders were briefed about the establishment of the GCC railway project set to be operational by 2018.
- Instructions to the Secretariat General to study the setting up of a fund to support the entrepreneurship for youth’s SME projects, and the establishment of a permanent programme for GCC youth to develop their abilities and spur their contribution to development and humanitarian work, promote the spirit of leadership and values as well as strengthen the GCC identity.
- Welcoming the new stand of the Iranian leadership towards the GCC states, hoping that such tendencies would be followed by tangible steps to reflect positively on peace, security and stability in the region.
- Welcoming the preliminary agreement signed by the “P5 +1” countries with Iran in Geneva in November, deeming it an initial step toward a comprehensive and lasting agreement on Iran’s nuclear programme that would end international and regional concern about the programme.
- A stressing of the importance of closer cooperation between the GCC countries and Iran on the basis of good neighbourliness and non-interference in internal affairs and respect for the sovereignty of countries in the region, and to refrain from threat or use of force.
- Praise for Saudi Arabia’s position to reform the Security Council so as to enhance its role in resolving issues at the international level.
- Condemnation of the acts committed by the Syrian regime against the Syrian people and a call to secure the entry of humanitarian aid for the benefit of the Syrian people.
- A stressing of the importance of preserving Syria’s sovereignty, unity and the territorial integrity of the Syrian National Coalition, considered the legitimate representative of the Syrian people.
- Affirmation of support for the Egyptian people and their choices of democracy and a pledge to support the Egyptian economy so that Egypt can regain its leading role on the Arab and regional levels.
- A welcome to the efforts made by the United States to back the Palestinian-Israeli negotiations that lead to the setting up of an independent Palestinian state with Occupied Jerusalem as its capital.