GCC eyes common market

MANAMA: GCC leaders and Theresa May, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, decided to deepen the strong partnership and cooperation between the GCC and the UK. The leaders agreed to launch the GCC-UK Strategic Partnership to foster closer relations in all fields, including political, defence, security, and trade, as well as enhancing people-to-people contact, and developing collective approaches to regional issues to advance their shared interest in stability and prosperity, according to Bahrain News Agency (BNA). GCC leaders decided to work towards the establishment of the joint market, the customs union, water linkage and the other development projects, steps that would lead to comprehensive economic union and reinforce the GCC status as an international financial and investment hub. The GCC and UK have a strong history in using all means at their disposal to secure their core interests in the Gulf region, including to tackle regional threats and threats to their security. The GCC and UK partners share a deep interest in supporting the political independence and territorial integrity of GCC member states. The UK remains committed to working with GCC states to deter external aggression and interference in their internal affairs contrary to international law and the UN Charter, just as it did during the Gulf War and on other occasions. The GCC and UK expressed unequivocal commitment to secure, through the new GCC-UK Strategic Partnership, their shared security interests in the Gulf region, including to deter and respond to external aggression. They committed to strengthening engagement on security assistance, cooperation and training. The GCC and UK partners share a vision for a peaceful and prosperous region, and for addressing the most pressing regional conflicts (Syria, Iraq, Yemen, and Libya, as well as the Middle East Peace Process), defeating violent extremists including IS, and countering Iran’s destabilising activities. On regional conflicts, the leaders decided on a set of common principles, including a shared recognition that there is no military solution to the region’s armed civil conflicts. These can only be resolved through political and peaceful means, respect for all states’ sovereignty and non-interference in their internal affairs contrary to international law, the need for inclusive governance in conflict-ridden societies, as well as protection of all minorities and of human rights. The leaders committed to continue working towards a sustainable political resolution in Syria that ends the war and establishes an inclusive government that protects all ethnic and religious communities, and preserves state institutions. The leaders reaffirmed that Assad has lost all legitimacy and has no role in Syria’s future. The international community needs to be united in calling for the Assad regime and its backers, including Russia and Iran, to support a meaningful end to the violence, sustained humanitarian access and an inclusive political process.  Meanwhile, His Highness Sayyid Fahd bin Mahmood al Said, Deputy Prime Minister for the Council of Ministers, returned home on Wednesday evening after leading, on behalf of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos, the Sultanate’s delegation in the 37th GCC Summit, which was held in Bahrain. The Summit concluded its deliberations earlier on Wednesday. HH Sayyid Fahd sent a cable of thanks to King Hamad bin Issa al Khalifa of the Kingdom of Bahrain and senior officials. In his cable, HH Sayyid Fahd expressed his honour and that of his accompanying delegation to lead, on behalf of His Majesty the Sultan, the Sultanate’s delegation in the 37th GCC Summit, which was held in the Kingdom of Bahrain. He hailed the brotherly spirit that prevailed in the Summit, and mirrored the keenness to go ahead with the Gulf march to achieve its prospective goals. He expressed thanks and appreciation for the warm welcome and generous hospitality extended to him and his accompanying delegation. HH Sayyid Fahd was received upon his return by a number of ministers. — ONA