Confront challenges with unity: KSA

GCC leaders concluded a key summit conference in Doha on Tuesday, reiterating their resolve to confront terrorism and strengthen economic integration, and taking steps to make the GCC common market a reality to expand joint trade beyond $100 billion.
Crown Prince Salman, deputy premier and minister of defense, urged GCC countries to stand united in the face of “dangerous challenges” that threaten the six-member bloc. Prince Salman led the Saudi delegation to the summit on behalf of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah.
“The Gulf Cooperation Council is passing through the most delicate situation in its history as a result of highly dangerous challenges,” the crown prince said in Doha in an apparent reference to IS militants threatening Gulf security.
“This (situation) demands greater unity and solidarity among the GCC countries to safeguard their achievements,” Prince Salman said while praising Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani for extending a warm welcome for him and his delegation.
The final communiqué called for more talks to transform the GCC into a Gulf union, which was King Abdullah’s proposal to strengthen the organization. It also urged greater efforts to establish a joint military force to defend the member states. It emphasized the GCC’s support for Egypt.
The leaders approved steps taken to finalize the GCC customs union and agreed to form a unified naval force, said Abdullatif Al-Zayani, secretary-general of the GCC who read out the communiqué, adding that they expressed happiness over the efforts to build a joint military command.
The summit approved the GCC police force based in Abu Dhabi.
It opposed Iran’s occupation of the three UAE islands and urged Tehran to cooperate with the UAE to settle the dispute.
The leaders endorsed the unified law for food and agreed to make greater efforts to achieve integration of financial markets.
Opening the summit, Sheikh Tamim supported the Gulf Union project, saying it would remain a noble objective. “We have to make gradual steps to achieve economic integration,” the Qatari ruler said. “The time has come for the GCC to establish its position on the political map.”
Sheikh Tamim blasted Israeli atrocities against the Palestinian people. “The international community is silently watching the illegitimate Israeli practices and this will be considered a big crime against humanity.”
Speaking about the worsening Syrian crisis, he said it was happening due to the absence of a clear vision for influential global forces to resolve the issue. He urged the UN Security Council to stop the Syrian regime’s crimes against humanity.
Chaired by Sheikh Tamim, the summit was attended by Prince Salman, King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa of Bahrain, Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah of Kuwait, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, UAE vice president, and Fahd bin Mahmoud Al-Saeed, deputy prime minister of Oman.
Kuwait’s emir said falling oil prices were affecting the incomes and development programs of oil-producing Gulf states. He said the GCC countries should have the ability to stand united despite differences in opinions. “Differences should not lead to cutting ties that would weaken the organization.” He urged Iran to remove the suspicions surrounding its nuclear program.
The summit studied steps to implement an earlier decision to form a joint military command, based in Riyadh. It also considered the establishment of a naval force to be stationed in Bahrain and a joint police force with its headquarters in the UAE.
The Saudi delegation at the summit included Deputy Foreign Minister Prince Abdul Aziz bin Abdullah, State Minister Prince Mohammed bin Salman, State Minister Musaed Al-Aiban and Finance Minister Ibrahim Al-Assaf.
Also on the agenda was the GCC water pipeline project, which has been endorsed by relevant GCC ministers to ensure water security. The project to be implemented in three phases is expected to cost $10 billion.
According to figures issued by the GCC secretariat, the trade exchange between the member states rose from $92 billion in 2013 to $97 billion in 2014. The summit discussed all obstacles facing the GCC common market project.
The GCC rail link, which will be completed by 2018, will cost $15 billion and boost trade, economic and social relations between the six countries. The railway will have a total length of 2,117 km with 663 km passing through Saudi Arabia, 684 km through UAE, 306 km in Oman, 283 km in Qatar, 145 km in Kuwait and 36 km in Bahrain.
The next summit will be held in Riyadh. On behalf of King Abdullah, Prince Salman welcomed the GCC leaders to Saudi Arabia.