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Iranian threats to top GCC Summit agenda

Manama, December 24, 2012

Regional security threats posed by Iran will top the agenda as Gulf leaders meet in Bahrain today for the annual GCC Summit, said a senior government official.

Bolstering military co-operation and environmental and nuclear power strategies will also be discussed during high-level talks at Sakhir Palace, Minister of State for Information Affairs Sameera Rajab was quoted as saying in our sister newspaper the Gulf Daily News.

Other issues on the agenda include the creation of a GCC customs union and common market, with member states due to announce their preparations for adoption of new measures.

"The agenda is still not finalised but many new intriguing issues have been included for discussions as leaders look to lay the foundation stone for more co-operation and possible union in future, which will be discussed in an extraordinary summit in Riyadh," said Rajab.

"The summit is being held in Bahrain based on the GCC rotation system and has nothing to do with the Iranian threats, which will be studied as a focal issue during the summit.

"None of the member states have anything against Iran as a neighbour and we have always and will continue to extend our friendship to them in peace, but recent actions will be addressed.

"The summit will focus on new issues for a more stable and prosperous GCC, like having a central military command station within a member state and environmental and nuclear power strategies as the GCC looks for peaceful uses in various fields."

Rajab said regular discussions about economic and financial issues would also be stepped up at the two-day event.

"We have the progress on the customs union and common market listed for discussions as leaders look into new mechanisms that will be introduced to raise the level of co-operation in the economic and financial fields," she said.

The minister was speaking after opening the summit's media centre, run by the Information Affairs Authority, at the Gulf Hotel's Gulf International Convention and Exhibition Centre.

More than 400 journalists are expected in Bahrain to cover the summit. – TradeArabia News Service




Tags: Bahrain | Iran | Manama | GCC Summit |

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