GCC leaders conclude 35th Summit, issue final communiqué

Their Majesties and Highnesses the leaders and heads of delegations of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states concluded the 35th session of the GCC Supreme Council Summit at the Doha Sheraton Hotel this evening.
According to Qatar News Agency, the Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al-Zayani delivered the GCC Supreme Council 35th session final communiqué in which the Supreme Council congratulated H.H. the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani on assuming the presidency of the current session of the Supreme Council, appreciating His Highness's opening remarks and eagerness to activate the process of cooperation between the GCC countries in all fields.
The Supreme Council expressed deep appreciation and gratitude for the great, sincere efforts made by H.H. the Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, as the Chair of the thirty-fourth session of the Supreme Council, praising the significant steps and achievements made.
The Council was informed on standings of the consultations on the proposal of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, on the transition from the cooperation stage to the union. It directed the Ministerial Council to continue consultations and complete studying the matter with the participation of Head of the specialized body in this regard, as stipulated by the Supreme Council decision in this regard in the 33rd session, which was held in Bahrain in December 2012.
The Supreme Council congratulated H.H. the Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah on Kuwait being named as a global humanitarian hub, and the Emir of Kuwait as global humanitarian leader. On this occasion, the Supreme Council honored the Emir of Kuwait, wishing him success in the prestigious role in the service of humanity, and the State of Kuwait and its people further progress and prosperity.
The Council congratulated HM King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain on the success of parliamentary and municipal elections that took place in Bahrain on November 22, 2014, considering it to be a historic achievement, in which all segments of the Bahraini society participated, proving support for their wise leadership in building a prosperous future under the reforms project of HM the King of Bahrain. The Council wished the Kingdom of Bahrain and its people further progress and prosperity.
The Supreme Council reviewed the recommendations and follow-up reports submitted by the Ministerial Council and achievements made in the process of joint action since the previous session in all fields, and expressed appreciation for the efforts made to promote the process of joint cooperation, particularly with regard to the promotion of Gulf citizenship which enables GCC citizens to achieve stronger integration, considering these be important achievements in the blessed march of the Council, and a push towards broader horizons.
The Supreme Council discussed political issues at regional and international levels, in the light of the latest developments in the region and took the necessary decisions.
In economic affairs, the Supreme Council adopted the financial and economic cooperation Committee steps to reach the final status of the Customs Union. It also adopted the law (System) of food for the Gulf Cooperation Council, which aims to ensure the safety of food , and public health protection for consumers and facilitate the movement of food trade. It also adopted the all rules and principles for the integration of financial markets in the GCC States, pending the completion of standard rules for the integration of financial markets in the Gulf States.
The Supreme Council reviewed the report on water linkage and water security in the GCC States and quickly completed a long-term comprehensive strategy for GCC. It also considered the report on the functioning of the GCC railway project as the project of great importance in facilitating trade and movement of people between Member States, and stressed the importance of completing this vital project by 2018 with best specifications available globally.
The Supreme Council was informed about the functioning of the GCC Monetary Union, and the steps taken by States to implement the Gulf common market in order to activate and expand the access of nationals of the Gulf common market.
The Supreme Council affirmed the importance of continuing in the steps of the integration among the GCC States in various economic fields, and to intensify efforts to implement its resolutions on joint action with regard to the areas under the economic agreement.
The Council praised the GCC of all-round development in various fields, and expressed satisfaction with the growth in the economies of the GCC countries.
The Council commended efforts undertaken by the GCC Secretariat General to follow up the implementation of its resolutions in the interest and aspirations of youth, the Council stressed the importance of continuing the Secretariat efforts in organizing youth activities through workshops, programs, meetings and training courses, contact the international youth programs, and pilot initiatives in the area of entrepreneurship, innovation, employment, skills building and work programmes.
The Supreme Council reviewed the report of the Secretariat General on following-up to the implementation of the resolution at its session (32) (Riyadh December 2011) on the adoption of the GCC plan to combat non-communicable diseases (2011-2020), and adopted the updated "GCC plan of prevention and control of non-communicable diseases (2014 - 2025).
In joint military action, the Supreme Council examined the resolutions and recommendations of the joint defence council at its 13th meeting, and agreed to create a unified marine force (81).
The Council also approved the provision of medical treatment services with respect to incurable diseases for the employees of the GCC armed forces through military hospitals and specialized centres in the GCC member states.
The Supreme Council expressed satisfaction and appreciation over the achievements and the steps taken to build a unified military command, and ordered efforts intensification and acceleration to achieve the desired defence integration among the GCC countries in various fields, coupled with the required measures and studies. In security coordination and cooperation, the Supreme Council approved the decisions of Their Highnesses and Excellencies the Ministers of Interior at their 33rd meeting, which was held in Kuwait.
The Council also expressed satisfaction over the achievements in security field, including the start of operation by the Gulf police from its headquarters in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates.
Regarding the fight against terrorism, the Supreme Council reiterated the firm positions of the GCC countries that renounce terrorism and extremism in all its forms and manifestations whatever its motives and justifications and whatever its source as well as on draining its sources of financing. It stressed the commitment of the GCC countries to combating the ideology upon which terrorist groups are founded, especially as Islam is innocent of such ideology, affirming that GCC states' policy is based on tolerance and coexistence among nations and peoples, and stressing that GCC countries stand firm against terrorist threats facing the region and the world in order to ensure security, stability and peace.
The Supreme Council expressed support to the Kingdom of Bahrain in its fight against terrorist acts, and voiced strong condemnation of the terrorist bombings that claimed innocent lives, and threatened security and peace in Bahrain.
The Supreme Council reviewed the international efforts made at all levels to confront terrorism and extremism, and praised the statement issued at the conclusion of the Regional Meeting for Counter-terrorism held in Jeddah in September in 2014, and hailed the statement's content that affirmed a shared commitment to stand in the face of terrorist threats in all its forms to the region and the world.
The Supreme Council also welcomed the outcome of the International Conference on Combating the Financing of Terrorism, which was held in Manama in November 2014, and deemed Manama Declaration as a point of reference in determining ways and means to curb the phenomenon of terrorism fully and comprehensively.
The Supreme Council welcomed the UN Security Council resolution No 2170 in August in 2014, under Chapter VII, which condemned the spread of serious human rights violations by terrorist groups, including terrorist groups in Iraq and Syria, in particular the Da'esh and Al Nusra Front, and the sanctions imposed on individuals associated with these groups.
In legal affairs, the Supreme Council, stemming from the GCC's deep belief in human dignity and respect for the rights guaranteed under the provisions of the Islamic Sharia and the regulations and applicable national laws and legislation and international instruments, adopted the "Declaration on the human rights of the Cooperation Council of the Arab Gulf." The Council approved the extension of the Muscat document on a uniform code for real property registration in GCC as an indicative code system. In strategic dialogues and negotiations, the Supreme Council reviewed the progress achieved in strengthening the strategic partnership with the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, and the Kingdom of Morocco, and considered the report of the GCC Secretariat General on the strategic dialogues between the GCC States and other groupings, and expressed satisfaction over the results achieved in this regard. Regarding the Advisory Board of the Supreme Council, the Supreme Council reviewed the comments of the advisory body on matters with a mandate to study including: Evaluation of the cooperation Council; Human development in the GCC countries; and The unified tourist visa for the GCC countries.
The Council decided to refer them to the relevant ministerial committees to take advantage of them. It asked the advisory body to study of the following subjects: Development of partnership between the public and private sectors in the GCC; The growth of the income of GCC nationals and their well-being; and The future of oil and gas as a source of wealth and power in the GCC countries and the importance of maintaining security and development as a strategic choice.
On the Iranian occupation of three islands belonging to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the Supreme Council reiterated firm positions, rejecting the continuation of Iran's occupation of UAE's Greater and Lesser Tunbs and Abu Musa Islands, which were stressed in all previous statements.
In this regards, the Council stressed supporting the UAE sovereignty rights over its three islands, Greater and Lesser Tunbs and Abu Musa, and over its regional waters, airspace, territory, continental shelf and the exclusive economic zone of the three islands as an integral part of the United Arab Emirates.
The Council decided to consider any decisions or practices or actions by Iran over the three islands to be void and posing no change to the historical and legal facts that unanimously give UAE the sovereignty right over its three islands.
The Supreme Council calls on the Islamic Republic of Iran to respond to UAE's efforts to resolve the issue through direct negotiations or resorting to the International Court of Justice.
On the relations with Iran, the Council stressed the importance of the cooperation relations between the GCC States and Iran on the basis of good neighbourliness, non-interference in internal affairs, respect for the sovereignty of countries in the region, and refrain from the use of force, or threatening with it.
On the Iranian nuclear program, the Council hails the Sultanate of Oman's efforts to facilitate an agreement between the P 5 +1 and the Islamic Republic of Iran on its nuclear program, hoping that the extension of negotiations would lead to a solution that ensures the peaceful nature Iran's nuclear program, taking into account the environmental concerns of the GCC States.
In this regard, the Supreme Council stressed the importance of making the Arabian Gulf and the Middle East region free of weapons of mass destruction including nuclear weapons, stressing the right of all states to peaceful uses of nuclear energy.
Regarding Syria, the Supreme Council expressed deep concern and dismay at the deterioration in the human conditions of the Syrian people as a result of Assad regime insisting on the killings and destruction. The Council urged a political solution to the Syrian crisis, in accordance with the communiqué of Geneva 1 conference in June 2012, to ensure Syria's security, stability and territorial integrity and to meet the aspirations of the Syrian people. The Council also stressed the need for concerted international efforts to deliver humanitarian assistance to all affected civilians, and supporting all efforts to aid and protect Syrian displaced people and refugees.
The Supreme Council expressed hope for the success of the efforts of the UN envoy to Syria Staffan de Mistura.
On the Situation in Palestine and the Arab-Israeli conflict, the Supreme Council stressed that a comprehensive, just and lasting peace can only be achieved by Israel's complete withdrawal from all Arab territories occupied in 1967, the establishment of the Independent Palestinian State with its capital in East Jerusalem in line with the international legitimacy resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative. The Council stressed what was stated in the decision of the Arab League Council at the ministerial level in its extraordinary session held on November 29, 2014, on discussing ways to support the Palestinian Cause.
The Supreme Council praised the results of the Gaza reconstruction conference, which was held in Cairo in October 2014.
The Supreme Council condemned the repeated brutal attacks carried out by the Israeli occupation authorities and extremist Israelis against the unarmed Palestinian citizens, religious sanctities and places of worship, particularly Al-Aqsa Mosque, considering that to be violating all relevant laws and international treaties, and holding the Israeli occupation authorities responsible for the violence resulting therefor. The Council called on the international community to take the necessary measures for the protection of Palestinian civilians and religious sanctities.
On Yemen, the Supreme Council affirmed its support for the efforts of Yemen's President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi President of Yemen in achieving security, stability, and the extension of the control of the State in Yemen and in leading the process of peaceful transition of power, through a commitment to the Gulf initiative and its executive mechanism as well as the comprehensive national dialogue conference outcomes.
The Supreme Council urged all Yemeni parties to be committed to settling their differences through dialogue and consultation and renounce the use of violence in order to achieve political goals, calling on all Yemenis to resolve differences by peaceful means, and to implement a comprehensive national dialogue conference outcomes as well as provide an appropriate atmosphere to complete the implementation of the initiative and the executive its executive mechanism to meet the ambitions and aspirations of the Yemeni people.
The Council recalled the presidential statement of the UN Security Council dated August 29, 2014, which condemned acts of violence by the Houthis in Sanaa, Omran and Al-Hodeida and other areas , and the grab of the State civil and military institutions , and looting and destruction of their contents, considering them as undermining the Yemeni national will, the output of national dialogue, and disruption of the political transition process in the Republic of Yemen.
The Supreme Council demanded the immediate withdrawal of the Houthi militia from all the territories they occupied, return of all military and civilian State institutions to the State authority, and hand over captured weapons and equipment.
The Council reiterated its position standing with fraternal Yemen in confronting the threat of terrorism whatever its source, and condemned the continued attacks against the security forces and the Yemeni armed forces, and denounced the Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula for violence which destabilize Yemen and threaten the security of the region.
On Iraq, the Supreme Council welcomed the new trends of the Iraqi new Government, calling for concerted efforts towards promoting national partnership between the various components of the Iraqi people, so as to contribute to Iraq's stability and security, sovereignty and territorial integrity, and helps promote trust and build bridges of cooperation in the Gulf region in order to encounter terrorism as a common threat to all.
The Supreme Council reiterated its support for the UN Security Council resolution 2107/2013, which decided unanimously to refer the file of prisoners and missing persons and the return of Kuwaiti property to United Nations Mission UNAMI to follow up this matter, and expressed hope the Iraqi government would continue its efforts and its cooperation with the State of Kuwait and the international community in this regard.
On Egypt, the Supreme Council reiterated its firm position in support of the Republic of Egypt and President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi's roadmap, stressing the Council's full support and stand with the people and Government of Egypt in achieving stability and prosperity. The Council underscored the role of Egypt at Arab and regional levels for the benefit of both the Arab and Islamic countries.
On Libya, the Supreme Council condemned the militias and their control over the Libyan arena, stressing the importance of the security and stability of Libya and its territorial integrity, demanding an immediate halt to the violence and called for national reconciliation. The Council called on all parties to support the legitimacy of the elected House, looking forward to the House of representatives and the interim Government to adopt policies that take into account the interests of all Libyans, meet their aspirations and achieve security and prosperity.
The Supreme Council expressed appreciation and thanks to HH the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al -Thani, who is also the Chairman of the current session of the Supreme Council, his wise government , and to the people of the State of Qatar for the gracious hospitality, accorded to Their Majesties and Highnesses the leaders of GCC States and delegates.
Source: WAM