DOHA: The 35th GCC summit concluded here yesterday with a series of decisions to promote cooperation in economic, political, military and health fronts and a strong commitment to fight the growing terrorist and extremist threat in the Arab region.
The GCC Supreme Council reiterated its support to Egypt and President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi’s roadmap. The Council stressed the importance of cooperation between the GCC States and Iran “on the basis of good neighbourliness, non-interference in internal affairs, respect for the sovereignty of countries in the region, and refrain from the use of force, or threatening with it.”
The Council hailed the Sultanate of Oman’s efforts to facilitate an agreement between the P 5 +1 and Iran on its nuclear programme, hoping that the extension of negotiations would lead to a solution that ensures the peaceful nature Iran’s nuclear program, taking into account the environmental concerns of the GCC States.
The Supreme Council demanded the immediate withdrawal of the Houthi militia from all the territories they occupied, return of all military and civilian State institutions to the State authority, and hand over captured weapons and equipment.
The Supreme Council condemned the militias and their control over the Libyan arena, stressing the importance of the security and stability of Libya and its territorial integrity, demanding an immediate halt to the violence and called for national reconciliation.
The GCC Secretary-General, Dr Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, read out the communiqué.
The GCC Supreme Council stressed the commitment of the GCC to combat the ideology upon which terrorist groups are founded, saying Islam does not support such ideology.
The council welcomed the UN Security Council Resolution No 2170 in August in 2014, under Chapter VII, which condemned the spread of human rights violations by terrorist groups, including those in Iraq and Syria, in particular the Daash and Al Nusra Front, and sanctions imposed on individuals associated with these groups.
The council approved steps by the Financial and Economic Cooperation Committee to reach the final status of Customs Union and the law (system) of food for the GCC to ensure food safety, protection of consumers and facilitate food trade. It also approved rules and principles for the integration of financial markets in the GCC, pending the completion of standard rules for the integration of the markets.
The council reviewed a report on water linkage and security in the GCC and completed a long-term comprehensive strategy. It stressed the importance of completing the GCC railway project by 2018.
The council examined resolutions and recommendations of the Joint Defence Council and agreed to create a unified marine force.
It also approved the provision of medical treatment services in case of incurable diseases of the employees of the GCC armed forces through military hospitals and specialised centres in the GCC. It expressed satisfaction over achievements in security field, including the start of operation by the unified police from its headquarters in Abu Dhabi. The council approved the extension of the Muscat Document on a uniform code for property registration as an indicative code system.
It decided to refer the proposal for a unified tourist visa for the GCC to ministerial committees. It asked the advisory body to study: Development of partnership between the public and private sectors in the GCC; growth of income of GCC nationals and their well-being; the future of oil and gas as a source of wealth and power in the GCC and the importance of maintaining security and development as a strategic choice. The Peninsula
