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In response to the gracious invitation of His Highness
Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al-Nahayan, President of the
UAE, the Supreme Council held its 26th
session in Abu Dhabi, UAE, on Sunday and Monday 16-17
Dhul Qada 1426 AH corresponding to 18-19 December 2005
AD. The meeting was chaired by His Highness Sheikh
Khalifa Bin Zayed Al-Nahayan, President of the UAE and
the Chairman of the current session of the Supreme
Council in the presence of their Majesties and
Highnesses:
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His Majesty
King
Hamad Bin Eisa Al-Khalifa
King of Bahrain |
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Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah
Bin Abdul Aziz
Al-Saud
King of Saudi
Arabia |
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His Majesty
Sultan Qaboos Bin Saeed
Sultan of Oman |
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His Highness
Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani
Emir of the State
of Qatar |
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His Highness
Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah
Prime Minister of
the State of Kuwait |
H.E. Abdur Rahman Bin Hamad Al-Attiyah, the GCC
Secretary-General also participated in the meeting.
Commemorating the 25th Anniversary of the
blessed launch of the GCC from Abu Dhabi under the
auspices of late sagacious leader Sheikh Zayed Bin
Sultan Al-Nahayan, the UAE capital once again hosted
this august meeting with pride and honor in the grand
achievements of this great edifice(GCC) during the reign
of the worthy successor to the worthy predecessor. On
this occasion, the Council expressed sincere gratitude
and honor at the contributions of the founding leaders,
whose memory shall remain eternally imbued within the
conscience of this grand process and its sublime goals;
may Allah have mercy on them, and grant them the best
of rewards for their selfless contribution to
development and construction of their homelands, their
dedicated concern for maintaining peace and security of
the Member States and their peoples, their efforts in
promoting the just causes of the Arab and Islamic
nations, and for advancing peace in the region and the
world. The leaders of the GCC States asserted their
relentless resolve and determination to push forward the
blessed march of joint cooperation wherewith to
accomplish more successes in various fields with a view
to realizing the hopes and aspirations of the peoples of
the GCC.
The Supreme Council also expressed grief and condolence
at the sad demise of the Custodian of the Two Holy
Mosques King Fahd Bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud and the great
loss his passing away represents for the Arab and
Islamic nations. The Council expressed appreciation for
the late monarch's glorious achievements and his
magnificent contributions towards fostering the
advancement of the GCC, thereby actualizing the hopes
and aspirations of the Member States and their peoples.
It also lauded the role of the departed leader—May Allah
Have Mercy on him—in serving the Arab, Islamic and
international causes.
The Supreme Council welcomed the Custodian of the Two
Holy Mosques King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud, King
of Saudi Arabia who—May Allah Preserve Him—personifies
the uninterrupted reign of Saudi Arabia's course of
development, contributions and glory. His Majesty also
embodies the sustained support to the progress of the
GCC, achievement of its political goals, maintenance of
security of the GCC States, and reinforcement of the
foundations of the GCC, along with his brothers the
leaders of the GCC States, with a view to consolidating
stability and prosperity for the peoples of the region.
The Supreme Council welcomed Saudi Arabia's accession
to the World Trade Organization(WTO), affirming that the
accession would be beneficial for and supportive to the
GCC process, and would act as be an important factor in
the stability of the world economy.
The Council lauded the results of the proceedings of the
Third Extraordinary Summit of the Organization of
Islamic Conference(OIC) held in Makkah Al Mukarramah on
5-6 Dhul Qa’adah 1426 AH (7-8 December 2005). It praised
the Makkah Declaration and the Final Communiqué which
was issued at the end of the summit and contains all
that is good for the progress of the Member States of
the OIC.
The Supreme Council expressed appreciation for the
efforts exerted by State of Qatar under the leadership
of His Highness Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani, Emir
of the State of Qatar, during its presidency of G-77 and
China. It also expressed satisfaction with the results
of the Second South Summit held in Doha in June 2005.
The Council reviewed the achievements of the Member
States the process of development and modernization, as
well as their accomplishments in economic, political,
educational, and social fields. The Council recalled and
reiterated the pronouncements of the Manama Declaration,
issued at the Zayed Summit which was convened last year
in the Kingdom of Bahrain. The declaration emphasized
the importance of persisting with modernization and
comprehensive development in order to keep pace with the
age and its basic requirements. This should be done in a
gradual manner to harvest the fruits of the process that
should emanate from national identity, history and
heritage of the region. This is to ensure that the
process achieves its goals and contributes towards
realizing security, stability, and prosperity for the
GCC States and its peoples.
The Supreme Council considered the accomplishments of
the joint process in all fields since the last session,
and undertook a thorough assessment of the political,
security, regional, and international issues in light of
the major events and rapid developments taking place in
the region and the world.
Based on the keen desire of the leaders of the GCC
States to reinforce the joint process of the Council and
to push it to greater and more inclusive horizons, the
Supreme Council reviewed the follow-up reports submitted
by the Ministerial Council, and took the necessary
decisions accordingly in the following manner:
The Supreme Council reviewed the GCC process in the
field of economy by examining the reports and
recommendations presented by the relevant Ministerial
Committees and the Secretariat-General.
The Supreme Council adopted the document, The Unified
Commercial Policy of the GCC States. The document
aims at unifying the external trade policy of the GCC
States, and dealing with the outside world as a single
economic unit. It also calls for adopting a unified
internal trade policy that would facilitate
the movement of citizens, commodities, services, and
means of transport, keeping into consideration
environmental and consumer protection.
The Supreme Council also examined the working of customs
union and its positive impact such as increased
commercial exchange and the facilitation of the
cross-movement of commodities between the Member States.
Further, the Supreme Council approved the extension of
the interim phase of the customs union until the end of
the year 2007, and agreed to exempt a number of goods
from custom taxes.
The Council looked into the steps to implement the
Common Gulf Market, as well as the achievements made
during 2005 by the Member States, especially in the
field of Stock trading and ownership. The Council
approved the agreement(which was undertaken upon
authorization from the Supreme Council) of the Finance
and Economics Committee on adding the following economic
activities to the list of activities that can be
practiced by the GCC citizens in all the Member States.
The newly permitted economic activities are private
recruitment offices, car rentals, and most of the
cultural activities.
The Council directed the relevant committees to speedily
fulfill all the remaining requirements for launching
the Common Gulf Market before the end of the year 2007.
With regard to the implementation of the timeline for
instituting the Monetary Union of the GCC , the Supreme
Council considered the report of the Secretariat-General
on the steps that have been taken in this connection.
The Council endorsed the agreement reached on the
financial and monetary standards for economic
approximation by the Finance and Economics Committee
and the Committee of the Governors of the Monetary
Agencies and Central Banks. The Council directed the two
committees to conclude deliberations on how to calculate
those standards and percentages, and to submit it during
the next session of the Supreme Council.
The Council perused a number of other economic reports
submitted by the Secretariat-General, and issued its
directives accordingly. Among reports considered were
the report on the consular study on water
interconnection between the GCC States, the report on
the steps taken to conduct a feasibility study on the
construction of a railroad network between the GCC
States, and the report detailing the level of progress
made in each GCC State in relation to the headway made
in the project on the issuance of the identity card for
the GCC States with unified information (smart card).
The Council also perused the report presented on the
joint precautionary steps and measures taken within the
framework of the GCC in relation to Avian Flu, and the
outcome of the emergency meeting of the Ministers of
Health and Agriculture the GCC States . The Council
issued directives to intensify and coordinate efforts to
prevent the spread and proliferation of this disease.
The Supreme Council reviewed the report of the
Secretary-General on the progress of cooperation between
the GCC States and the Republic of Yemen, and the steps
that have been taken within the framework of the GCC
with regard to this issue, including the Supreme Council
directive on supporting the financing of development
projects in Yemen, as well as the inclination to hold a
conference to explore the investment opportunities in
the Republic of Yemen.
Concerning the economic relations of the GCC States with
other countries and international blocs, the Supreme
Council examined the developments that have taken place
during 2005 in this connection. The Council considered
the framework agreements for economic cooperation as
well as progress of the negotiations between the GCC
States the European Union. The Supreme Council welcomed
the progress made in the recent rounds of negotiations
between the two sides, and expressed hope for the
conclusion of these negotiations and the signing of the
Free Trade Agreement between the GCC States and the EU
in the near future. The Council also expressed
satisfaction at the progress made in talks for
establishing two Free Trade Areas between the GCC
States and People's Republic of China, and the Republic
of Turkey.
In the field of Human and Environmental Affairs, the
Supreme Council looked into the topics related to the
field.
Based on the
keen desire of the GCC States to protect the human and
environmental health from the dangers of ultra violet
rays that may result due depletion of that layer, and in
line with the international efforts within the
framework of the
Vienna Convention
and Montreal Protocol on
controlling
the ozone depleting substances, the Supreme Council
approved the Guiding Law of GCC States to control
ozone depleting substances.
In the field of education the Supreme Council examined
the report of the Secretary-General on evaluating the
level of implementation of resolutions, and referred it
to the Education Ministers and the Ministers of Higher
Education to implement the proposals therein. The
Supreme Council also blessed the efforts of Ministers of
Education to implement the Supreme Council resolutions ,
and directed the Committee of Higher Education Ministers
to accelerate the execution of joint programs and
projects of higher education as well as the provisions
of the document on the Comprehensive Development of
Education, and to take into consideration the views and
observations of the Member States in this regard.
Within the framework of the endeavors to achieve social
tranquility for the citizens of the GCC States working
in the private and public sectors , the Supreme Council
expressed satisfaction at the necessary executive
measures, arrangements, and preparations made by the
Member States, the working groups, and the relevant
Ministerial Committees to implement the Supreme Council
decision made in the 25th session
(Manamah-December-2004) to extend the insurance
protection coverage to GCC citizens working outside
their countries in any other Member State.
The Supreme Council expressed satisfaction at the
measures taken to raise the level of family and
childcare as well as at their efforts to enable the
women to participate effectively in the development
endeavors.
In the field of Youth and Sports, the Supreme Council
lauded the efforts being made by their Highnesses and
Excellencies the Ministers of Youth and Sports, and the
Heads of the Olympic Committees, and the Technical
Committees, to raise the level of Gulf Sports and to
support the youth and sports activities in the GCC
States.
In the field of Legal Affairs, the Supreme Council
approved the Riyadh Document on the Uniform Penal
Procedures in the GCC States in its new amended form as
a Guiding Law for a period of four years.
The Supreme Council also decided to extend the validity
period of the Kuwait Document on Uniform Civil Code for
the GCC States, the Doha Document on Uniform Penal Law,
the Abu Dhabi Document on Juveniles, the Manama Document
on Legal Practice, and the Muscat Document on Evidence
as Guiding Laws for a period of another four years. The
Council decided to continue with effectiveness of the
Manama Document on Common Civil Procedures and Defense
in the GCC States as Guiding Law until the completion
of its revision and approval in its final form.
In the Military sphere, the Supreme Council studied the
results of the fourth periodic meeting of Joint Defense
Council held in the Kingdom of Bahrain on 22 Sha'baan
1426 AH corresponding to 26 September 2005, and endorsed
the decisions contained therein, and expressed
satisfaction at the steps taken in this regard.
(The Council also considered the message of the
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Bin
Abdul Aziz Al-Saud about strengthening Peninsula Shield
Forces. The Council endorsed the proposals and referred
them to the Joint Defense Council to study them and to
submit the recommendations during the next session of
the Supreme Council.)
In the field of security cooperation and coordination
the Supreme Council looked into the results of the
proceedings and resolutions of the 24th
meeting of the Their Highnesses and Excellencies the
Ministers of Interior which was held in Manama in
November 2005. The Council expressed satisfaction at
the progress of the security coordination and
cooperation between the GCC States and positive
developments aimed at protecting the societies of the
GCC States from dangerous security problems such as the
proliferation of drugs, money laundering, and smuggling
of arms and explosives. The Council also expressed
satisfaction at the achievements made in ways to prevent
infiltration, and the development of secure means of
communication to intensify exchange of information
between the various organs of the security apparatus in
the GCC States.
The Supreme Council endorsed the agreement reached by
the Ministers of Interior on the movement of convicts,
between GCC States, facing penalties that negate
freedom. The Council authorized the Ministers to sign
the agreement because of its humanitarian significance.
In view of the rapid security developments and events
in the world caused by the terrorist elements, the
Supreme Council examined the efforts of the Member
States, and the measures and mechanisms adopted by them
to combat terrorism at the regional and international
levels. The Council expressed satisfaction at those
efforts, mechanisms and measures. It reaffirmed the
stances and principles of the GCC States on combating
terrorism, denouncing it all its forms and shapes,
irrespective of its origin, and rejecting the
ill-founded justifications put forth in its favor. The
Supreme Council reiterated its repeated calls for and
its support to all regional an international efforts
aimed at combating terrorism by crystallizing and
coordinating the stands to define terrorism and pinpoint
it, and to differentiate between terrorism and the
legitimate rights of the people to struggle against
occupation. The legitimate struggle against occupation
does not legitimize the blood of innocents.
In this context the Supreme Council welcomed the results
of the international counter-terrorism conference which
was hosted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in February
2005 in Riyadh. The Council also welcomed the
recommendations of the Conference, foremost among which
was the proposal of the Custodian of the Two Holy
Mosques King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud, King of
Saudi Arabia, to establish an international centre for
combating terrorism. There is no doubt that this centre
would significantly and effectively contribute to the
international efforts to counter terrorism. The Council
supports the efforts aimed at forming a working group to
study the recommendations to be contained in the
proposed declaration related to the centre under the UN
supervision.
The Supreme Council reiterated its condemnation of
terrorist activities and the consequent murder of the
innocents and destruction of property. The Council
stressed the need to confront these terrorist activities
collectively and internationally.
Concerning the functioning of the Consultative
Commission of the Supreme Council of the GCC States,
the Supreme Council perused the views of the
Consultative Commission on the phenomenon of terrorism
and decided to approve those views and to refer them to
relevant Ministerial Committees so that they may evolve
necessary mechanisms to implement those views. With
regard to the report of the Commission about the
evaluation of the joint process of the GCC over the
past 23 years, the Council decided to refer it to the
Member States so that the competent quarters may review
the report and express their observations on it with
goal of maximizing the opportunities of benefiting from
it. After that the Consultative Commission shall revise
the report and present it in its final form to the
Supreme Council during the next session.
The Supreme Council assigned the Consultative Commission
to study the economic nationalization and its role in
deepening the process of Gulf nationalization; as well
as the study on the importance of economic partnership
in supporting the relations with neighboring countries
and to present them to the Supreme Council during its
next session.
In the political arena, the Supreme Council explored a
number of regional, Arab and international issues and
clarified the GCC stand on those issues in the
following manner:
Pertaining to the continued occupation by the Islamic
Republic of Iran of the three islands: the Greater and
the Lesser Tunbs and Abu Musa, belonging to the United
Arab Emirates, the Supreme Council stated its unwavering
and well-known stand—which have been affirmed in all
the previous statements—supporting the sovereign right
of the United Arab Emirates on her three islands,
including the Greater and the Lesser Tunbs and Abu Musa
as well as the territorial waters, airspace, continental
shelf, and the economic zone of the three islands, as
they are an integral part of the UAE.
The Supreme Council expressed regret at the lack of any
progress in communication with the Islamic Republic of
Iran until now or lack of any results that would
contribute effectively in solving the problem and
strengthen security and stability in the region.
The Supreme Council reaffirmed the need to keep
considering all peaceful means that could lead to the
restoration of the right of the UAE over her three
islands. The Islamic Republic of Iran should respond to
the efforts of the UAE and the international community
aimed at solving the problem by peaceful means which
includes resorting to the International Court of
Justice.
With regard to Iraq, the Council welcomed the Iraqi
Parliamentary Elections held on 15 December 2005. This
was an election in which different groups of the
brotherly Iraqi people with different ethnic
affiliations participated. The Supreme Council hopes
that the results of these elections would lead to the
opening of a new page in the history of modern Iraq,
ensuring its unity and stability. The Council hoped
that Iraq would manage its affairs by itself and make a
comeback as an effective player in the Arab and
international arena, co-existing peacefully with its
neighbors. The Council urged the Iraqi people to
continue dialogue in order to arrive at a comprehensive
national consensus, which is the main guarantee for
Iraq's unity, stability and sovereignty. The Council
reiterated the commitment of the Member States to honor
their pledge for the reconstruction of Iraq.
In context of the keen desire of the leaders of the GCC
States to see realization of the aspirations of the
brotherly Iraqi people for stability, the Supreme
Council condemned the explosions and the terrorist
activities that target civilians as well as humanitarian
and religious institutions. The Council also condemned
the threats and attack on the Iraqi infrastructure and
its destruction.
Further, the Supreme Council denounced the deliberate
mass killings of Iraqis, and the Kuwaiti prisoners and
detainees as well as subjects of other countries, which
were carried out by the former Iraqi regime. This is
being continually discovered in form of mass graves,
representing blatant and gross violation of human rights
as well as Islamic, ethical and Arab principles and
values.
The Supreme Council welcomed the ongoing cooperation
between Kuwait and the Republic of Iraq with regard to
the suffering inflicted on the brotherly Kuwaiti and
Iraqi peoples as a result of the inhumane practices of
former Iraqi regime against both the Kuwaiti and Iraqi
peoples. The Council expressed hope that the UN would
persist with efforts to resolve the rest of the pending
issues such as the return of the Kuwaiti assets and its
national archives which were seized by the former Iraqi
regime during the occupation of the Sate of Kuwait, as
well as establishing the fate of the prisoners of Kuwait
and other countries.
The Supreme Council reviewed the development of events
in the Palestinian arena and the Middle East peace
process. The Council expressed hope that the Israeli
withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and some settlements in
the West Bank would be a step in the right direction on
the condition that this would be followed by steps aimed
at complete withdrawal from all the occupied Palestinian
territories, so as to enable the brotherly Palestinian
people to establish their independent State on their
national soil, with Holy Jerusalem as capital. In this
context, the Supreme Council reiterated the commitment
of the Member States to the Arab Peace Initiative—based
on resolutions of international legality—which was
adopted by the Beirut Summit in 2002. The Council
emphasized the complementariness between this
initiative and the roadmap.
The Supreme Council reiterated that the just and
comprehensive peace in the Middle East will not be
achieved except by the establishment of an independent
Palestinian State founded on the essential requirements
for it with Holy Jerusalem as its capital. The Council
also stressed the need of Israeli withdrawal from the
occupied Syrian Golan Heights to the line of 4th
of June 1967 as well as from Southern Lebanon's Shebaa
farms.
The Supreme Council demanded from Israel to refrain from
its atrocious practices against the unarmed Palestinian
people; stop assassinations; stop building settlements;
evict the existing settlements; and stop the
construction of the separating wall and raze parts of
the wall that have already been constructed; and stop
the threats that are being made by the extremist Jewish
groups to attack the Holy Al-Aqsa Mosque. The Council
made it clear that these threats would provoke the
feelings of the Muslims and infringe upon the sanctity
of what they consider Holy, and subvert the peace
process.
The Supreme Council further demanded that Israel accede
to the nuclear non-proliferation treaty and subject all
its nuclear installations to the international system of
inspection by the International Agency for Atomic
Energy. The Council urged the international community to
mount pressure on Israel to achieve this end.
The Supreme Council renewed its appeals to make Middle
East, including the Gulf region, free from the weapons
of mass destruction.
The supreme Council examined the events taking place in
Lebanon and condemned and censured the assassination of
the former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Al-Hariri,
after a criminal attack targeting him and his
associates. Rafik Al-Hariri devoted his life to
strengthen security, stability, and development in
Lebanon. The Supreme Council also condemned the repeated
assassinations of symbols and leaders of the Lebanese
people, affirming the desire of the GCC States to
support the political, security, and economic stability
for the Lebanese people. The Supreme Council called on
the brothers in Lebanon to mend the cracks so as to
preserve the unity and cohesion of Lebanon, and to
provide security, stability and welfare to its brotherly
people. The Supreme Council condemned the repeated
Israeli threats, violations, and attacks on Lebanon's
sovereignty and independence.
The Supreme Council expressed
satisfaction at the Syrian Arab Republic's welcome of
the UNSC resolution 1644 concerning
United Nations
International Independent Investigation Commission (UNIIIC),
affirming the attachment of the GCC States to the
sovereignty, independence, and the integrity of Syria
and Lebanon.
The Supreme
Council examined the developments in Sudan, welcoming
the Comprehensive Peace Agreement
which
was concluded in Nairobi in January 2005, as well as the
formation of the new Sudanese government. The Council
praised the efforts being exerted by the Sudanese
government to solve the Darfur problem. The Supreme
Council expressed hope that peace would prevail in all
parts of Sudan, bringing stability and prosperity to the
brotherly people of Sudan.
In the end, the Supreme Council expressed immense
appreciation and gratitude for the sincere and true
efforts made by the His Majesty King Hamad Bin Eissa
Al-Khalifa , King of Bahrain and his prudent government
during His Majesty’s Chairmanship of the 25th
session of the Supreme Council and the achievements
made during the session in pushing forward the blessed
process of joint action of the GCC towards broader
horizons, thus brining progress and prosperity for the
people of the region.
The Supreme Council also expressed immense appreciation
and gratitude to His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed
Al-Nahayan, President of the UAE and Chairman of the
current session of the Supreme Council, his Government
and generous people for the hospitality and the sincere
feelings of fraternity with which the leaders of the
Council were received. The leaders of the GCC states
lauded the kind care and attention that was given by His
Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al-Nahayan, President
of the UAE and Chairman of the current session of the
Supreme Council to this meeting. The Council also lauded
the wisdom with which his Highness managed the meeting.
This has a great impact on arriving at important
decisions and resolutions. The GCC leaders expressed
their confidence that the UAE under the leadership of
His Highness, will make valuable contributions to the
blessed process of co-operation, thus promoting it to
newer horizons in light of the requirements of the
current circumstances at the local, regional, and
international levels, thereby realizing security,
stability, and prosperity for the peoples of the GCC
States.
The Supreme Council looks forward to meeting in its 27th
session, God willing, in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in
the month of Dhul Qaada 1427 AH corresponding to
December 2006 AD in response to the gracious invitation
of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah
Bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud, King of Saudi Arabia.
Issue at Abu
Dhabi
17 Dhul Qada
1426 AH
19 December
2005 AD
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