International   

Iran calls for Gulf security organisation

DUBAI: Iran has called upon the Arab Gulf states to join it in establishing a new organisation that would promote security and economic cooperation.

Addressing the opening session of the 28th summit of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in Qatar’s capital Doha, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmedinejad advocated abolishing visas between Iran and the Gulf states and promoting free trade between Tehran and the GCC. He also proposed establishing a north-south corridor that would facilitate the transportation of oil, gas and water. Besides, Mr. Ahmedinejad invited Gulf businessmen to invest in Iran and for making arrangements that would allow Iranian and Gulf nationals to participate in real estate projects. Mr. Ahmedinejad proposed setting up institutions to promote security because “the security of our countries is intertwined.” Iran’s proposals are unlikely to meet Washington’s approval which has banked on the GCC countries as its key allies in the region.

Prior to his departure from Tehran for Doha, Mr. Ahmedinejad said that his visit would result in a new era of cooperation with the Gulf countries. Iran’s Fars News Agency reported that during the course of the summit, Mr. Ahmedinejad is expected to attend a joint meeting with all the participating heads of state at the summit.

The GCC comprises Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and Oman. All the heads of state are members of the GCC Supreme Council which convenes annually. Iran is attending the conference for the first time since the GCC’s inception in Abu Dhabi in 1981.

The GCC countries produce about 16 million barrels of crude oil per day and possess about 45 per cent of the world’s proven crude reserves. Analysts say that instability in the region is bound to spiral oil prices even further, affecting the global economic system adversely.

Striving for economic integration, the bloc formed a customs union in 2003. It now aims to establish a regional common market and adopt a single currency in 2010. The GCC set up Peninsula Shield — a collective defence force based in Saudi Arabia in 1984.

In his opening remarks, host Qatar urged member states to adopt measures that would prevent existing regional tensions from spinning out of control. Qatar’s Emir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifah Al-Thani said that the region was confronting a series of crises caused by the Iranian nuclear programme, the military presence in the Gulf, the situation in Iraq, Palestine and Lebanon as well as the growing threat of terrorism.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Iran calls for Gulf security organisation
Release the innocent: Colombo
Mature democracy: Chavez
Sex selection among U.K. Indians too
One dies of bird flu in China
“Iraqi militants regrouping”
“Other countries should be mindful of our rights”
123 Agreement won’t be reopened: Burns

Copyright © 2007, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu