Kuwait – News Agencies
Their Excellencies and Highnesses, the leaders and heads of delegations of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states in Kuwait, concluded the meetings of the 34th session of GCC leaders, which was held from December 10to 14 of this month, chaired by His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Emir of the State of Kuwait and Chairman of the current session.
The delegation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was headed, on behalf of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud—may God protect him—by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Defense.
The highlights of the final communiqué of the Gulf Summit are as follows:
– The Supreme Council welcomed the outcomes of the Third Arab-African Summit, held in the State of Kuwait from November 18–20, 2013.
– The Supreme Council reviewed the progress of consultations regarding the proposal by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, King of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia– may God protect and preserve him – to move from the stage of cooperation to the stage of union, the recommendations of the specialized committee in this regard, and the proposed amendments to the Statute, and directed the Ministerial Council to continue consultations and complete the study of the matter with the participation of His Excellency the Chairman of the Commission, in accordance with the provisions of the Supreme Council’s decision on this matter at its thirty-third session held in Sakheer, Kingdom of Bahrain, in December 2012.
– The Supreme Council reviewed the recommendations and follow-up reports submitted by the Ministerial Council, as well as the achievements made in the course of joint work since the last session in all fields, and expressed its appreciation for the efforts made to strengthen the process of joint cooperation and advance it toward broader and more comprehensive horizons. It also discussed developments in regional and international political issues, in light of the rapid events and developments taking place in the region and the world, and took the necessary decisions in this regard, as follows:
Economic Affairs:
10- The Supreme Council adopted a number of unified rules regarding the integration of financial markets in member states and reviewed follow-up reports on water interconnection and water security, and was briefed on the progress of work within the GCC Monetary Union and the steps taken by GCC member states to implement the Gulf Common Market. It was also noted that member states have begun establishing the GCC Railway Project, and consulting firms have been engaged to prepare the preliminary or detailed engineering designs for the project to be completed during 2014, in preparation for the project’s construction and subsequent operation at the agreed time in 2018, God willing.
– The Supreme Council expressed its satisfaction with the sustained growth witnessed by the economies of the GCC member states and the comprehensive development achieved in various fields.
People and the Environment:
– The Supreme Council reviewed the General Secretariat’s report on the follow-up to its decisions regarding the development of education in the GCC member states, as well as the General Secretariat’s report on the steps taken to follow up on the implementation of its decision regarding the Gulf Plan to Combat Non-Communicable Diseases.
– The Supreme Council expressed concern regarding reports of plans to build additional nuclear reactors along the Gulf coast and the potential threat this could pose to the fragile ecosystem and water security in the Gulf region.
Joint Military Action:
– In continuation of the steps and efforts aimed at strengthening the security and stability of the GCC member states and building a joint defense system to achieve collective security, the Supreme Council approved the establishment of a unified military command for the GCC member states, and tasked the Joint Defense Council with taking the necessary measures to begin its implementation in accordance with relevant studies.
– The Supreme Council approved the establishment of a Gulf Academy for Strategic and Security Studies for the GCC states and expressed its gratitude and appreciation to the United Arab Emirates for hosting this academy, The Supreme Council also approved the commencement of the implementation of the complementary phase of the Secure Communications Project.
– The Supreme Council ratified the decisions of the Joint Defense Council, and expressed its appreciation for the operational steps taken in the field of joint military action, the most recent of which was the laying of the foundation stone for the Maritime Security Coordination Center in the Kingdom of Bahrain by Their Highnesses, Excellencies, and Honorable Ministers of Defense, marking the start of its implementation.
Security Coordination and Cooperation:
The Supreme Council welcomed the decision to establish a Gulf Police Force for the GCC states, affirming that the establishment of this force will strengthen security efforts and expand areas of cooperation and coordination.
– The Supreme Council reaffirmed the member states“ unwavering stance on rejecting terrorism and extremism in all its forms and manifestations, regardless of its motives, justifications, or sources. It also commended the efforts of the GCC member states in taking executive measures to implement relevant decisions in this area.
Legal Affairs:
– The Supreme Council issued a resolution authorizing the secondment of members of public prosecution offices and investigative and public prosecution bodies to work with similar agencies in member states.
– The Supreme Council tasked the ministerial committees, each within its respective purview, with reviewing the previously approved model laws (regulations) and proposing necessary amendments, while setting a specific deadline for their conversion into national laws (regulations). As for new model laws, they shall be converted into national laws (regulations) within timeframes to be determined upon the adoption of those model laws (regulations).
– The Supreme Council approved the Unified Law (Regulation) of the Judiciary of the GCC States, in the form attached to the resolution, as a model law (regulation) for a period of four years, and named it ”The Manama Document on the Unified Law (Regulation) of the Judiciary of the GCC States.”