Kuwait summit launches Gulf power grid

Kuwait City: The 30th summit of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), which opened in Kuwait yesterday, launched a much-awaited power grid and approved the creation of a pan-Gulf rail authority.

The summit, which will conclude today, also expressed unequivocal support for Saudi Arabia in its fight against Yemeni rebels and called on Iran to comply with international laws in its standoff over its nuclear programme.

"The inauguration of the power grid... and our intention to commence the timeframe for the monetary union agreement, as well as the establishment of the railway authority are all embodiments of our keenness to materialise more achievements," Shaikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Sabah, the Emir of Kuwait, said at the summit's opening session.

President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan is heading the UAE delegation.

In a statement issued upon his arrival in Kuwait yesterday, Shaikh Khalifa said the meeting was being held in critical circumstances regionally and internationally that require Gulf states "to reach a common collective vision, mobilise our efforts and coordinate our stances at all levels in order to maintain our security and stability".

Condemnation

His view was echoed by Shaikh Sabah who said the GCC rejects "aggression" by Yemen's Al Houthi group on Saudi territory.

"We renew our strong condemnation of these aggressions [against Saudi Arabia] and declare full support to whatever action Saudi Arabia takes to defend its territory," he said.

The Kuwaiti Emir also said the GCC states wanted the standoff over Iran's nuclear programme resolved through dialogue, and urged Tehran to "comply with international legitimacy in order to reach a peaceful solution".

Earlier, a draft of the communiqué to be issued at the end of the summit today was approved by foreign ministers of the six member countries, a Kuwaiti senior official has said.

"The document, adopted by the pre-summit 113th session of the GCC ministerial council, covers the major regional issues including the latest developments in Iraq, Palestine and Yemen as well as the Middle East peace process," Ministry of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Khalid Al Jarallah was quoted as saying by the official Kuwait News Agency (Kuna).

Specific dates for the creation of the GCC railway authority that will oversee the building of the railway network that will link the six member countries and the launch of the GCC monetary union are among the key items of the draft communiqué, he said.