Saudi Arabia rocks the GCC boat once more

Saudi Arabia is again obstructing the integration of the countries of the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) - and harming its relations with the UAE - by hindering the economic development of the region and efforts to improve the living standards of all its people, over petty and bureaucratic issues.

Saudi officials have unexpectedly announced that their citizens and those of the UAE will not be allowed to travel between the countries using their identity cards - they will have to use their passports instead. The move is sure to increase the hassle factor for those who need to cross between the two countries for business or personal reasons. In these difficult times it makes little sense to add to the bureaucratic burden of traders or to restrict the movement of people between the two largest economies in the region.

The new obstruction comes within months of Saudi officials disrupting trade in the region by unexpectedly imposing new border control restrictions on trucks carrying goods across its borders. That fiasco inflicted suffering on truck drivers and proved to be a costly disruption of the economy of the GCC.

Some Saudi officials have said that the latest move is intended to crack down on drug trafficking and smuggling, while others have said they are slighted by a map on UAE identity cards they claim does not accurately reflect their borders.

Whatever their concerns, Saudi officials should have addressed them with the UAE in a mature and transparent manner and timeously informed the emirates of their plans.

Saudi Arabia needs to decide if it wants to be a meaningful contributor to the economic development of the region, or remain a temperamental and unreliable partner, eager to throw its weight around to get its way. More of this kind of behaviour could permanently damage its standing in the GCC.