‘GCC summit will address key issues of common concern’

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Al-Attiah, in a statement he made to KUNA upon arrival in the country to prepare for the summit, said the agenda of the top-level meeting would include several significant political issues namely the Palestinian cause, conditions in Iraq, Sudan and Somalia in addition to the the developments in Lebanon following the formation of the cabinet of Prime Minister Saad Al-Hariri.

The summiteers will discuss relations with Iran particularly with regard of the file of the three occupied UAE islands, Greater and Lesser Tonbs and Abou Moussa, and the necessity of adopting dialogue as a means of resolving such disputes between two neighboring countries in this vital regional or referring the question to the international tribunal of justice in the Hague, "so that we and the Iranians could build neighborliness ties based on mutual respect and realize aspirations of the peoples of the region …" The summit, he added, would also address the Yemeni issue from the political perspective as well as the development dimension, in relation to the development programs funded by the GCC states, affirming these states’ keennness on preserving Yemen’s unity, security and stability.

He confirmed that the agenda also deals with the issue of the launch of the GCC single currency and formation of the joint monetary council.

The GCC chief added in the exclusive remarks to KUNA that the GCC leaders would discuss reports illustrating achievements within the realm of the joint Gulf market, launched in Doha in December 2007.

He indicated at certain matters that need to be thrashed out, such as equality, employment of nationals in the teaching and vocational sectors.

The summit will witness the inauguration of the power grid project, he said, adding that the first phase of the venture had been finalized by linking Bahrain with Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Kuwait.

The second stage of the mega project will link up the UAE, Oman and the third, the intersection of these two networks.

The leaders will also examine reports concerning the planned railway, "which is also a vital and strategic project for the states of the region," Al-Attiah said, adding that the summit will also shed light on various other issues related to food security, the global economic crisis, and indicated that the Dubai question was not inserted into the agenda.

The UAE has coped with ripples of the international economic crisis, he said, adding that was evident with the approval of the deficit-free state budget earlier than scheduled.

He expressed solid confidence in the ability of the economies of the GCC states to ward off the negative effects of the global financial downturn.

 

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