Gulf summit leaders urge economic integration, peace efforts

The 20th summit of the Gulf Cooperation Council states' leaders has called on sponsors of the Middle East peace process and the European Union member states to continue their endeavors and work for the sake of resuming negotiations on the Syrian and Lebanese tracks.

In their final statement issud on Monday in Riyadh, the GCC leaders stressed that a just and comprehensive peace will not be realized only through a complete Israeli withdrawal from the occupied Arab lands, including the Golan Heights, back to June 4th, 1967 lines, south Lebanon and the western Bekaa.

The Oman News Agency quoted the secretary general of the organization , Jamil Al Hujailan, as saying "the (Gulf) AGCC leaders observed that dealing with the powerful forces of globalisation requires the AGCC countries to take the initiative and participate effectively in the establishment of the new world order."

He said "Riyadh declaration calls for the creation of a single Gulf economic entity without loosing sight of the preservation of the national interests of member states and the securing of integration with Arab economies."

“The (Gulf) AGCC is an embodiment of Arab brotherhood and Islamic solidarity and has never set itself apart from the Arab and Islamic world”, he said. Al Hujailan also read the summit final communique.

He said the Supreme Council reviewed the march of two decades of joint action in economic, social, international, Military and security fields and expressed satisfaction over achievements.

The agency said "The Supreme Council endorsed the start of the (Gulf) AGCC state’s customs union in March 2005 and that member states were either to gradually or immediately amends their current customs tariffs to 5.5% on basic commodities and 7.5% on other goods as per the categories of exempt goods, basic products and other commodities. The council tasked the financial and economic cooperation committee to oversee other steps necessary for the start of the customs union."

The report added "The council adopted the use of the (Gulf) AGCC customs unified system as a guide by member states for one year and then be revised for final obligatory implementation by all customs departments of member states by the end of the year 2000."