Gulf states threaten end of free trade negotiations with Europe
Gulf-European Union, Economics, 5/13/2000

Arab Gulf Cooperation Council states threatened to stop the commercial negotiations with the European Union and canceling the signed cooperation agreement between the two sides in 1998 if the European side rejects their proposals concerning signing an agreement on free trade.

Gulf sources stated that a Saudi position regarding this matter which was not adopted by the Gulf states in earlier meetings will be presented to the European side in the meeting of the European - Gulf ministerial council on May 22 in Brussels, adding that the Saudi note forms a base for unified gulf position that states the necessity of persuading the European side to ratify the free trade agreement.

The sources said the note forms is a fair basis and condition to continue good cooperation relations adding that after 10 years of negotiations there is no longer time for further delay by introducing new positions and no reason for not giving priority to concluding these negotiations.

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