12/28/2010GCC hopes to reach free trade accord among GCC Arab states, Turkey
ANKARA, Secretary General of the Arab Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states Abdulrahman Al-Attiyah hoped here Tuesday that ongoing negotiations between GCC states and Turkey will lead to signing free trade agreement soon.
Al-Attiyah said in a joint press conference with Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu that GCC states stressed their keenness on developing ties with Turkey in various fields including economy, energy, industry, commerce, investment, education and culture.
He added that this stance came into being at the third ministerial meeting for strategic dialogue between these states and Turkey.
Al-Attiyah added that foreign ministers of GCC member states asserted as well in a meeting held in the State of Kuwait on October 17, their willingness to reach a free trade agreement among them and Turkey as soon as possible. (Monday, Oct. 18th The ministers of Finance of All Arab Countries and Turkey are Scheduled to meet ~ Kuwait focal point of Arab-Turkish cooperation )
On his talks with Davutoglu, Al-Attiyah said that they included several topics of mutual concern including the Palestinian cause, conditions in Iraq, situation in Lebanon and the Iranian nuclear file, hailing the Turkish efforts in the Middle East which, "reflect a keenness on establishing security and stability there." Al-Attiyah also expressed his happiness over the current level of relationships between the GCC states and Turkey, saying that historic bonds binding the two sides constitute the cornorstone of such ties.
On his part, Davutoglu said that applying the plans of action signed between the GCC states and Turkey on joint cooperation will further strengthen the deep-seated and existing ties of friendship between the Turkish people and the GCC peoples, and will contribute to the establishment of, "an economic zone that is expected to be the most effective in the region as a whole." Davutoglu added that Turkey sees eye to eye with the GCC states on regional issues, particularly the willingness to boost peace, stability and welfare among the Middle East countries, noting that effective cooperation between the two sides will be fruitful at the international and regional levels.
Further, he hoped the signing of the free trade agreement between the two sides as soon as possible, "in order to set up a free trade zone that will important and vital for the region as a whole." He also noted that the two sides, namely GCC states and Turkey, will mull the land linkage of their territories through a railway line along with embarking upon joint ventures in the domains of energy and health.
Al-Attiyah arrived in Turkey yesterday at a Turkish invitation for holding talks with Turkish officials on the GCC affairs and the ongoing strategic dialogue between the GCC Arab states and Turkey.
