UAE | General
Text of final communique of the 28th GCC Summit
The GCC summit reiterated the UAE's right to regain sovereignty over its three islands occupied by Iran and expressed regret at failure to reach positive results with the neighbouring Islamic Republic.
- WAM
- Published: 00:09 December 5, 2007
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Doha: The GCC summit reiterated the UAE's right to regain sovereignty over its three islands occupied by Iran and expressed regret at failure to reach positive results with the neighbouring Islamic Republic.
The Supreme Council of the Gulf Cooperation Council called on Iran to respond positively to the UAE's endeavours to solve the issue through direct negotiations or resorting to the International Justice Court.
In the final communiqué of the 28th GCC Summit, the council urged Iran to pursue dialogue with the international community to arrive at peaceful solution to its controversial nuclear programme.
On the issue of Iran's occupation of the UAE's three islands, the council reaffirmed the UAE's right to regain the islands of Greater and Lesser Tunbs and Abu Musa and their continental shelves and territorial waters as an integral part of the country.
On Iran's nuclear programme, the council stressed the necessity to solve the nuclear dossier through peaceful means, 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 bringing its nuclear installations under the international inspection, supervision and the safeguards of the IAEA.
It also called on the international community to put more pressure on Israeli to respond positively to the international community demands in this regard.
It also reiterated its demand to make the Middle East, including the Gulf region, free from all weapons of mass destruction, while acknowledging the right of the region's countries to seek nuclear expertise and possess nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.
On the economic level, the council discussed a number of topics, including the joint GCC action and the customs union, as well as 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 to protect environment and natural resources.
It also reviewed the GCC's march through reports and recommendations submitted by ministerial committies, and endorsed a number of agreements.
It also discussed the economic situations in GCC countries and achievements accomplished in the fields of economic and human development.
With regard to sports, the council welcomed and supported Qatar's desire 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 their close follow up of terrorist cells and foiling their attempts to destabilise security in the region, and its support to the procedures taken by the kingdom in this regard.
The council 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, dissolve all armed groups and end the illegal presence of weapons and make the necessary constitutional amendments to restore security and peace.
The council expressed the complete willingness of its member states to cooperate with Iraqi authorities in their efforts to fight terrorism.
On Palestine, the council expressed the hope that the Annapolis conference hosted by the United States last month 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 and place the nation's interest over their considerations on the grounds of the Makkah Agreement.
The council emphasised the importance of the Israeli withdrawal from the occupied Arab territories, including the Syrian Golan Heights, to the 4th of June 4 borders, and a further withdrawal from the occupied Lebanese lands.
On Lebanon, the council hoped that the Lebanese parties would arrive at an agreement on electing a new president to preserve the national unity, independence and sovereignty of Lebanon.
On the Darfur crisis, the council voiced concern over the ongoing human suffering in Darfur, and praised the efforts of the Sudanese government and its cooperation with the international community to put an end to the crisis and alleviate the suffering of the population of the region.
The council also renewed the commitment of its countries to continue extending humanitarian assistance to the people in Darfur while urging the international community to exert further efforts to support security and stability in the region.
On Somalia, the council expressed deep regret at the running struggle in the brotherly country and urged all parties to commit to the Jeddah agreement and work together to restore security and stability to the country.
Finally, the council thanked King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz of Saudi Arabia for his sincere efforts during his presidency of the 27th summit in Riyadh.
It also expressed profound gratitude to Shaikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani, Emir of Qatar, for warm hospitality during this summit. It also welcomed the invitation of Sultan Qabos Bin Saeed of Oman to hold the next summit in Muscat in 2008.
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