Arab monarchs reiterate need for Gulf Union

Gulf leaders at the 33rd GCC Summit in Bahrain The annual summit of Arab monarchs in the Gulf concluded in Manama on Tuesday, with agreement on the eventual establishment of a unified military command. A joint statement issued by the six-member Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), calledfor closer economic integration and unity to tackle regional turmoil.
The Secretary General of GCC, Abdullatif al-Zayani announced that Gulf ministers agreed on the need for a unified military command and the Gulf Union.
The final statement also called for a rapid political transition in war-torn Syria. The oil-rich states expressed "deep sadness over the continued shedding of blood by the regime and the destruction of cities and infrastructure, making political transition a demand which must be rapidly implemented."
The summit demanded that Iran ends "interference" in Gulf Arab affairs, with all six states reiterating their lack of trust in the Iranian leadership.
The leaders congratulated Palestine for being granted a non-member observer status by the UN General Assembly, terming the resolution as a "serious step towards establishing a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital."
There was also official confirmation that next year's GCC summit will be held in Kuwait.
The two-day event was attended by senior leaders from Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. The focus was on "Gulf unity, be it politically, economically, in defence, security and culturally,” Bahrain’s Foreign Minister Sheikh Khaled bin Ahmed al-Khalifa told reporters.
On Monday, the first day of the summit, Saudi Crown Prince Salman Bin Abdul Aziz Monday called for a Gulf Union. "We aspire to a strong union with integrated economies, a joint foreign policy and a common defense system,” Prince Salman said.
Kuwait’s emir, Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah, called for humanitarian aid for Syrian civilians and announced a donor conference for civilians caught up in the Syrian conflict to be held at the end of January.
The formation of a Gulf union, a supranational body, would lead to greater social and economic integration between the GCC states. After two days in Bahrain, the GCC states believe they are closer to such a union.
In his concluding words, al-Zayani said that the GCC leaders wanted to accelerate the implementation of the econmic agreement, consisting of unifying monetary and financial policies, and enhancing production capabilities to ensure greater job opportunities for citizens.
The financial and economic committee was tasked to present timed programs aimed at achieving complete transition of economic integration among GCC countries.
On Palestine, al-Zayani reiterated calls for inter-Palestinian unity and end of division, deploring at the same time Israel's settlement policy that aim to change demographics of Palestinian land; a move, the statement underlined, jeopardizing chances of a peaceful solution.
The Council also stressed that a just, inclusive and permanent peace in the Middle East cannot be attained without a full Israeli withdrawal from Arab occupied lands in Palestine and the Golan Heights and return back to the 1967 borders.
There was a message for Iran to immediately stop interference in Arab affairs because it causes tension and threatens the security and stability in the region.
Al-Zayani said Tehran must be committed to mutual respect and non-interference in the internal affairs, settling disputes and seeking peaceful solutions.
On the issue of the Iranian nuclear program, the council expressed concern over its developments which not only threaten the security and stability of the region, stressing the importance of Iran's commitment to full cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). It also stressed on the right of peaceful use of nuclear energy, for Iran and the world.
The overall gross domestic product in 2011 of the six GCC states amounted to 1.37 trillion dollars.
Additional reporting: AFP, KUNA