The upcoming Gulf Cooperation Council summit here is expected to focus on strengthening economic cooperation among the six members, Omani Foreign Minister Yousef bin Alawi bin Abdulla said in remarks published yesterday.

In an interview with Al Ayam daily newspaper, Bin Alawi also reiterated his country's support for the UAE over its three Gulf islands which are the subject of a dispute with Iran.

The GCC leaders are expected to concentrate on reinvigorating the council's 18-year old economic agreements during the summit to be held December 30-31. GCC Foreign ministers will meet November 25-26 to prepare for the summit, Bin Alawi told the paper.

On the agenda are proposals to make the agreements keep pace with the new regional and global developments, he said.

"The GCC has proved to be the best institution for the region as its members had united to a large extent and only need to establish regulations and systems to consolidate their common features," Bin Alawi told Al Ayam. He did not elaborate on these proposals.

On the UAE-Iran dispute over the islands, Bin Alawi said "we support the UAE in its sovereignty over its territories. No one expects that the UAE would waive its rights over these islands. This is why the issue will remain pending (on the summit's agenda) until the right circumstances arise, since the conditions at present are not suitable for any initiatives."

The GCC has formed a tripartite committee in 1999 to try and bring Tehran and Abu Dhabi to the negotiating table but the committee achieved little. Also Tehran has indicated it does not want outside parties to mediate in the dispute.

On Oman's decision to close the Israeli trade office on October 12, Bin Alawi said the office would remain closed until the rights of the Palestinians have been restored.

Morocco, Tunis and Oman were the first countries to end their limited ties with Israel following the outbreak of violence in Gaza and the West Bank between Palestinians and Israeli forces. More than 200 Palestinians have been killed in the clashes.