UAE | General
Communique: Council satisfied with common market plan
The GCC summit expressed regret at the failure to reach a positive result with Iran regarding its occupation of the three UAE islands.
- Agencies
- Published: 00:09 December 5, 2007
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- In the final communique of the 28th GCC Summit, the council called on Iran to respond positively to the UAE's efforts to resolve the issue through direct negotiations or referring it to the International Court of Justice.
The GCC summit expressed regret at the failure to reach a positive result with Iran regarding its occupation of the three UAE islands.
In the final communique of the 28th GCC Summit, the council called on Iran to respond positively to the UAE's efforts to resolve the issue through direct negotiations or referring it to the International Court of Justice.
On Iran's nuclear programme, it stressed the necessity to arrive at a peaceful solution to the dossier, and urged Iran to continue dialogue with the international community. It also welcomed Iran's cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Within the same context, the council renewed its call for demanding Israel to join the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, and subject its nuclear facilities to international inspection by the IAEA.
It also reiterated its demand to make the Middle East, including the Gulf region, free from weapons of mass destruction, with acknowledging the right of the region's countries to possess nuclear expertise for peaceful purposes.
On the economic level, the council discussed a number of topics on joint GCC action, including the customs union and steps made to facilitate trade among GCC member states.
The council expressed satisfaction at the announcement of the GCC Common Market with effect from January 1, 2008.
The council adopted the green environment initiative to upgrade the efficiency and performance of environmental institution in GCC countries.
Olympic bid
With regard to sports, the council welcomed and supported Qatar's wish to host the Olympic games in 2010, and its wish to host a specialised laboratory for the detection of performance enhancers among athletes.
In the field of combating terrorism, the council commended the high efficiency of security services in Saudi Arabia in the follow up of terrorist cells and foiling their attempts to destabilise security in the region, and their support to the procedures taken by the kingdom in this regard.
It reiterated its denouncement of all forms of terrorism, pointing out that eradicating terrorism would not be possible without collective efforts and cooperation of the international community.
It also called on the United Nations to establish an international anti-terrorism centre to exchange information and expertise and coordinate between countries to closely monitor the movement of terrorist groups.
On Iraq, the council stressed the necessity to respect sovereignty, territorial unity and independence of Iraq, protect its Arab and Islamic identity, and not to interfere in its domestic affairs.
It called on the Iraqi government to achieve national reconciliation and dissolve armed groups while expressing its willingness to cooperate with Iraqi authorities in their fight against terrorism.
On the Middle East peace process, the council expressed the hope that the Annapolis conference would achieve further positive steps towards a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the region.
It called on Palestinian rivals to put their differences aside through negotiations and their commitment to the Makkah Agreement.
The council emphasised the importance of the Israeli withdrawal from the occupied Arab territories, including Syrian Golan Heights, to the June 4 borders, and its withdrawal from occupied Lebanese lands.
Lebanon's president
On Lebanon, the council wished the Lebanese parties would come to an agreement about electing a new president to preserve the national unity, independence and sovereignty of Lebanon.
On the Sudanese issue, the council expressed regret at the ongoing human suffering in Darfur, and praised the efforts of the Sudanese government and its cooperation with the international community.
On Somalia, the council voiced concern and urged all parties to commit to the Jeddah agreement.
Finally, the council thanked Sultan Qaboos Bin Saeed of Oman for his invitation to hold the next summit in Muscat in 2008.
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