Gcc consultative Meeting 6/5/2006 Riyadh

GCC Consultative Meeting

6/5/2006 Riyadh

Gulf Cooperation Council leaders concluded their one-day consultative summit in Riyadh seeking greater assurances from Iran that its nuclear program is entirely for peaceful purposes.

"We appreciate Iran's efforts to reassure the region over its nuclear program," UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah Ibn Zayed told reporters after the summit. "But for the sake of stability and to avoid any environmental disaster, there needs to be more Iranian guarantees and we are trying to ensure this."

The minister said Iran had "commitments" to its GCC neighbours as well as the international community to ease concern over its nuclear plans.

However, Sheikh Abdullah said the GCC countries were worried about the Iranian nuclear program. "The Iranian nuclear program ... is worrisome not only for us, but for the entire world," he said, urging Tehran to act with more "transparency."

Iran says its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes and has vowed revenge if attacked by the United States or Israel. "We hope this crisis will be brought to an end through peaceful dialogue and (Iran) cooperating with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)," GCC Secretary-General Abdul Rahman Al-Attiya said after the Riyadh talks.

The GCC summit took place as France and Britain, with US backing, drafted a UN resolution demanding a halt to Iran's nuclear fuel program. Russia and China, which have vetoes on Security Council resolutions, may oppose sanctions against Iran, the world's fourth biggest oil exporter.

Addressing the meeting at Al-Diriyah Palace, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah called upon the GCC countries to stand united in the face of challenges.

"We have to stand united for goodness and for pleasing all nations," the Saudi Press Agency quoted him as saying.

UAE President Sheikh Khalifa Ibn Zayed, who chaired the summit, said the Riyadh meeting coincided with the 25th anniversary of the GCC.

"This is an occasion to renew our resolve to strengthen our unity and mobilize all our resources to realize the hopes and aspirations of our citizens and bolster the solidarity of the GCC house to confront challenges," he said.

GCC countries have repeatedly called for making the Middle East region free of nuclear and weapons of mass destruction and asked Israel to join the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

During the press briefing, Sheikh Abdullah of the UAE said the summit had discussed ways and means of confronting terrorism. Bahrain has offered to host the international counterterrorism center proposed by King Abdullah, he said, adding that the next meeting of GCC interior ministers on May 23 would discuss the mechanism to set up the center.

During the summit, Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmed of Kuwait presented a paper on strengthening security, and political and economic cooperation among the member countries. The paper has been presented to foreign ministers to discuss it further.

The leaders of six of Iran's Persian Gulf neighbours urged Teheran to be frank with them about its nuclear program. The rulers and emirs of the Arab states met privately for nearly three hours in Riyadh in what a Gulf Cooperation Council statement described as a "consultative" summit.

Discussions during the one-day gathering tackled developments in Iran, Iraq and combatting terrorism, United Arab Emirates Foreign Minister Sheiik Abdullah Ibn Zayed Al Nahyan told journalists on behalf of the GCC leaders after they finished their talks.

"Iran should be transparent in dealing with the region," regarding its nuclear program, Al Nahyan said. The Gulf nations will seek guarantees against "environmental hazards "potentially posed by Iranian nuclear reactors, he added.

"Iran's nuclear dossier is worrying, not only to the region but to the world," Al Nahyan told reporters, urging Iran to cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency and the international community to resolve the standoff.

Describing terrorism as an "issue that affects the region directly," Al Nahayan said the leaders welcomed Bahrain's efforts to establish an international intelligence-sharing center to combat terrorism.

Diplomats in Riyadh said the meeting examined instability in Iraq and the situation in the Palestinian territories.

A Gulf Cooperation Council statement said during its "consultative" summit the leaders would tackle recent developments in the region. Council Secretary General Abdel Rahman Al Attiyah discussed the agenda with Saudi foreign minister Prince Saud Al Faisal.

The diplomats said besides Iran's nuclear conflict, the Gulf leaders reviewed the situation in Iraq after a new leadership has been elected.

They said the leaders also wanted to look for ways to get money to the newly elected Palestinian government after Western powers such as the United States and European Union cut direct funding to the Authority because the Hamas-led refuses to recognize Israel and renounce violence. This has caused widespread hardship in the Palestinian territories where the government is the largest employer. Salaries for March and April have not been paid.

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul aziz and the leaders of Arab Gulf Cooperation Council held their 8th consultative meeting at Diriyah palace.

King Abdullah headed the kingdom's delegation to the meeting.

In the name of the Saudi people, I welcome you and wish you a happy stay, the monarch said in his speech. He wished the meeting all success, adding,''I hope that we all stand together for the interest and prosperity of all peoples.''

Addressing the meeting, the president of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayid Al Nahayan, the President of the GCC current session, wished the GCC leaders all success.

On the Saudi side, the meeting was attended by Crown Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General; Prince Miteb Ibn Abdul Aziz, Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs; Prince Naif Ibn Abdul Aziz, Minister of Interior; Prince Salman Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Governor of Riyadh Region; Prince Saud Al-Faisal, the Foreign Minister; and Prince Miqren Ibn Abdul Aziz, Chief of General Intelligence.

It was also attended by members of the GCC officials delegations.

UAE President Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan opened, as current President of the GCC Supreme Council, the eighth consultative summit of GCC leaders. Sheikh Khalifa delivered the opening speech in which he welcomed the GCC leaders to the meeting.

The session was attended by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz Al Saud, King Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain, Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani, Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah, Emir of Kuwait, Fahd Bin Saeed Bin Mahmoud Al Saeed, Omani Deputy Prime Minister and Abdul Rahman Bin Hamad Al Attiyah, GCC Secretary General. The summit discussed current regional developments including Iran's nuclear file, situation in Palestine and Iraq, as well as means to boost inter-GCC economic and security cooperation.

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz Al Saud and the leaders of Arab Gulf Cooperation Council concluded their 8th consultative meeting at Diriyah palace then the leaders had lunch at the king's banquet.

At the palace, the king saw off president of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayid Al Nahayan: Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifah Al Thani, Emir of Qatar: Fahd Bin Mahmood Al Saeed, Oman's Deputy Prime Minister For Cabinet's Affairs: King Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifah of Bahrain and Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jabir Al Sabah, Emir of Kuwait.

They were also seen off by Crown Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General and GCC Secretary General Abdul Rahman Bin Hamad Al-Atiyah.

The leaders of the Arab Gulf Cooperation Council expressed their pleasure over attending the 8th consultative meeting and expressed their appreciation of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz and Crown Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General.

The Foreign Minister of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayid Al Nahayan and the Secretary General of Gulf Cooperation Council Abdul Rahman Bin Hamad Al-Atiyah held a joint press conference to speak about the 8th consultative meeting of the GCC leaders concluded.

Sheikh Abdullah noted that the Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad presented to the meeting an important paper on economic, security and political aspects in the region, adding that the GCC states commended the paper.

He indicated that Bahrain welcomed the hosting of Counter-terrorism Center, adding that the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz has called for the establishment of the center.

On his part, Al-Atiyah said that the summit discussed a report on activating cooperation with the Republic of Yemen.

In an arrival statement, the President of The United Arab Emirates Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayid Al Nahayan, the President of the GCC current session, said that the GCC summit will discuss overall situations, regional and international developments and the coordination of the GCC stands and visions towards them for the interest of their countries and peoples.

In a similar statement, Bahrain's King Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa hoped that the summit will achieve a new accomplishment of the GCC joint process to meet the aspirations and ambitions of all their peoples.

On his part, Fahd Bin Mahmood Al Saeed, Oman's Deputy Prime Minister for cabinet's affairs noted that the summit will contribute to strengthening joint work mechanisms of the GCC process.

The GCC leaders started to arrive in Riyadh to participate in the eighth consultative meeting of the GCC leaders.

The GCC leaders continued to arrive in Riyadh to participate in the eighth consultative meeting of the GCC leaders.

Those who arrived were Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifah Al Thani of Qatar, Fahd Bin Mahmood Al Saeed, Oman's Deputy Prime Minister, King Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifah of Bahrain and Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jabir Al Sabah of Kuwait.

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz received at Diriyah palace the leaders of Arab Gulf Cooperation Council participating in the 8th consultative meeting.

They were President of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayid Al Nahayan; Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifah Al Thani, Emir of Qatar; Fahd Bin Mahmood Al Saeed, Oman's Deputy Prime Minister for caBinet's affairs; King Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifah of Bahrain and Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jabir Al Sabah, Emir of Kuwait.

The audience was attended by Crown Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General.

King Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain received Gulf Cooperation Council Abdul Rahman Bin Hamad Al Atiyyah.

Following the audience, Al-Atiyyah said he briefed the king on the preparations done by the GCC secretariat general to hold the 8th consultative summit in Riyadh on May 6, 2006.

In an arrival statement King Hamad asserted that GCC leaders will continue shouldering the responsibility of developing their countries and meeting the expectations of their peoples by mustering more efforts.

Crown Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Deputy Prime Minister, Defense and Aviation Minister and Inspector General, held a dinner party in honor of King Hamad Bin Eisa al-Khalifa of Bahrain and the accompanying delegation.

The dinner party was attended by Prince Naif Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Interior Minister, and a number of princes and senior officials.

Bahrain's King Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa left Riyadh after participating in the 8th consultative meeting of leaders of Arab Gulf Cooperation Council's countries concluded at Diriyah palace.

At King Khalid International Airport, the Bahraini King was seen off by Crown Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General; Prince Miqren Ibn Abdul Aziz, Chief of General Intelligence; a number of princes; ministers and officials.

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz has received a cable of thanks from King Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa, Bahrain's monarch, following his departure after having attended the 8th annual consultative summit of the gulf cooperation council leaders held in Riyadh early this week.

On his part, King Abdullah thanked King Hamad for his noble feelings, wishing him continual happiness and health and his people steady progress and prosperity.

Crown Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General, has received a similar cable from the Bahraini monarch.

In turn, Crown Prince Sultan replied him, thanking him for his good feelings and wishing him best health and happiness.

Oman's Deputy Prime Minister For Cabinet's Affairs Fahd Bin Mahmoud Al Saeed and the accompanying delegation left Riyadh after participating in the 8th consultative meeting of leaders of Arab Gulf Cooperation Council's countries concluded at Diriyah palace.

At Riyadh airbase, they were seen off by minister of state and cabinet's member Abdullah Zeinal.

Upon his departure, the deputy prime minister sent cables of thanks to the Custodian Of The Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz And Crown Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Prime Minister , Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General for a warm welcome and general hospitality, wishing the King and the Crown Prince permanent good health and happiness and the kingdom of Saudi Arabia steady progress and prosperity.

Qatar's Emir Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifah Al Thani and the accompanying delegation left Riyadh after participating in the 8th consultative meeting of leaders of Arab Gulf Cooperation Council's countries concluded at Diriyah palace.

At Riyadh airbase, they were seen off by minister of state and cabinet's member for Shoura Council affairs Dr. Saud Al-Muthami and a number of officials.

Upon his departure, the emir sent cables of thanks to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz and Crown Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Prime Minister , Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General for a warm welcome and general hospitality, wishing the King and the Crown Prince permanent good health and happiness and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia steady progress and prosperity.

Kuwait's Emir Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jabir Al Sabah and the accompanying delegation left Riyadh after participating in the 8th consultative meeting of leaders of Arab Gulf Cooperation Council's countries concluded at Diriyah palace.

At Riyadh airbase, they were seen off by minister of state and cabinet's member Dr. Musaed Aleiban and a number of officials.

Saudi Arabia and Oman signed a landmark agreement which allows their citizens to visit each other using national ID cards instead of passports, the Saudi Press Agency said.

GCC Secretary-General Abdul Rahman Al-Attiyah welcomed the move and hoped that other GCC member countries would soon follow the suit in order to strengthen GCC relations.

Maj. Gen. Salim ibn Muhammad Al-Belaihed, director general of the Passport Department, signed the agreement with his Omani counterpart, Col. Aamir ibn Saeed Al-Hajari at GCC headquarters in Riyadh in the presence of Al-Attiyah.

"This agreement represents the experimental phase of a program that aims at facilitating movement of GCC citizens between the member states using their IDs," SPA quoted Al-Attiya as saying. The accord also reflects the strong relations between the Kingdom and the Sultanate.

The GCC chief said the use of ID cards by GCC citizens for traveling between member countries would strengthen social and economic cooperation. The GCC members are Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates.

Al-Belaihed said the agreement would come into effect after 30 days. "There will be no restrictions as people of all age groups can travel using their IDs," he added.

The UAE plans to introduce the same facility for GCC citizens coming to the emirates from other member states. According to a report carried by AME Info website, the move was to be implemented from Jan. 12, 2005 but Saudis who recently returned from the UAE said they had to submit their passports to enter the country.

Plans are also under way to issue a unified GCC identity card. The new electronic card will use smart card technology with common security features, applications and accessing devices. The main feature of the card, which will have both the GCC and the member country's logos, is the "interoperability," making its features readable in all member states.