Threats will not derail GCC's forward march vows Al Zayani

(MENAFN- Arab News) JEDDAH: Threats and challenges have always reinforced the resolve of the GCC countries to move forward to achieve their lofty objectives said a top Gulf official.
'Achievements of nations are not compared in years but what has been achieved including on the ground are counted as major strides in the march of cooperation' said Abdul Latif Al-Zayani secretary-general of GCC.
'The circumstances and the challenges faced by the GCC especially the political and economic conditions wars and conflicts over the past 30 years have affected the forward march of the GCC but failed to stop it. They have reinforced the resolve of the GCC countries to move forward to achieve its lofty objectives' he told the Views on Gulf magazine of the Gulf Research Center on the occasion of the 34th anniversary of GCC to be published on Monday.
His remarks came as Gulf states reiterated their support for Saudi Arabia and condemned the recent terror attacks in the Eastern Province.
Saudi Arabia has foiled five attacks in six months officials have said.
Al-Zayani said: 'Maintaining the security of the nations is basically the responsibility of citizens secretary-general of GCC.'
The GCC secretary-general also said consultations are continuing on the transformation of the council to a Gulf union as called for by the late King Abdullah.
He said that the economic agreements of 1981 led to the exemption of customs duties in the trade between the member countries establishment of a free trade zone in 1983 customs union in 2003 and a currency union.
'A number of rules and regulations were also enacted with the aim of facilitating business financial and trade relations between the member countries in addition to common power grids and telecommunication.'
Al-Zayani said that with the declaration of the Gulf Common Market the mutual trade between the member states jumped from $6 billion in 1984 to $140 billion in 2014.
He said the security of Yemen is considered an integral part of the safety of GCC countries and that Operation Decisive Storm was launched in response to the call by that country's legitimate President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi.
With regard to Syria Al-Zayani said its crisis could be solved with the adoption of the Geneva 1 decisions.
He also stressed the need for real national reconciliation to establish peace in Iraq and that regional and international cooperation was required to confront the IS threat.
Al-Zayani expressed the hope to establish 'constructive and sustainable neighborly relations' with Iran with non-interference in the internal matters of each other and peaceful settlement of all outstanding issues.
He hoped that the efforts made by the 5+1 Group to settle Iran's nuclear programs would be successful and ensure security in the region.
He said the GCC's relations with the US were historical and served to protect the shared interests of both the sides.
He said that efforts are under way to strengthen the GCC's strategic partnership with Jordan and Morocco.