Gulf summit meeting begins today

The works of the consultative meeting of the leaders of Gulf Cooperation Council states under the presidency of United Arab Emirates Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan al-Nahyan are to begin today, according the decision of the previous Gulf summit to implement its decisions as soon as possible.

The meeting aims at unifying the Gulf position toward the new round of multi-sided negotiations that will be convened in 2000 within the framework of the World Trade Organization to reexamine the petroleum issue as a commodity. The meeting is to focus on discussing trade and economic relations among the GCC states, especially within the framework of world changes during globalization.

The meeting will also discuss the Palestinian issue and the development of peace process and its effect on stability and security in the Gulf region.

A unified customs will be set up by 2001, and further integration measures in the political, military and economic field will be discussed.