MUSCAT — Their majesties and highnesses, the AGCC leaders, yesterday issued the final communique, on the conclusion of their 29th summit in Muscat.

Upon the kind invitation by His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said, the Sultan of Oman, the AGCC Supreme Council held its 29th session in Muscat, Sultanate of Oman on Monday and yesterday, 1st and 2nd Muharam 1430 ah, corresponding to December 29 and 30, 2008, under the chairmanship of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said, the Sultan of Oman, chairman of the current session of the Supreme Council in the presence of their majesties and highnesses.

His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, president, of the United Arab Emirates (UAE); His Majesty King Sheikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of the Kingdom of Bahrain; The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abul Aziz Al Saud of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, emir of Qatar; His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah, emir of Kuwait and Abdulrahman bin Hamad Al Attiyah, AGCC secretary-general also took part in the meeting.

The council congratulated His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said, the Sultan of Oman, for presiding over the current session of the Supreme Council, hailing the contents and the sound vision included in His Majesty the Sultan’s royal speech and his keenness to activate the march of cooperation among the AGCC states in all fields, extending and developing it to a wider and stronger horizons, God willing.

The council expressed its appreciation for the great efforts exerted by the state of Qatar, led by His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, emir of Qatar, during his chairmanship of the AGCC Supreme Council’s last session and for his support for the march of joint cooperation in various fields.

The Supreme Council has also welcomed the setting up of joint Saudi-Qatari Co-ordination Council which reflects the keenness accorded by The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia, and His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the emir of Qatar to consolidate the relations between the two brotherly countries and developing them in various spheres. The council also hailed the agreements reached at the first meeting of the joint coordination council aimed at enhancing fruitful cooperation between the two countries in economic, trade, industrial, political, security, military, environmental, health, cultural and media fields.

The Supreme Council also valued the great efforts exerted by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abulaziz Al Saud of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, for convening the world conference and dialogue in Madrid so as to promote dialogue among religions, cultures and the noble meanings meant by them.

It also valued the generous initiative to convene a dialogue among followers of religions and cultures in the meeting held at the United Nations general assembly which has received good response, support and interaction. The initiative was aimed at highlighting the importance of dialogue, respect to humanity, establishing bonds and relations among nations and civilisations, consolidating human and religious joint values and correct the faulted conceptions aimed at degrading the Islamic values.

The Supreme Council has also welcomed the convening of the Arab Economic, Developmental and Social summit in the state of Kuwait. It stressed the economic and developmental dimension of the summit in enhancing the inter-Arab relations and activating the Arab joint action.

The Supreme Council also congratulated President Michael Sulaiman of the Lebanese republic on his election as president of brotherly country Lebanon, and for the reconciliation and agreement, which have been achieved in all spheres in accordance with the framework of the Doha accord and the restoration of diplomatic relations between the two brotherly countries Syria And Lebanon.

The communique stated that the Supreme Council is looking forward to continue dialogue among the Lebanese brothers to achieve all that could enhance security, stability and prosperity for the brotherly Lebanese people.

The Supreme Council also congratulated US President-elect Barack Obama on winning the American presidential elections as president of the United States of America, wishing him all success.

The Supreme Council is hoping that Obama’s presidential term would be marked by a new security and prosperity for the American friendly people and contribute in achieving security and peace in the whole world.

The Supreme Council studied the global financial crisis and its economic impacts, and directed the specialised ministerial committees to intensify coordination among member states and take relevant measures to reduce its negative impacts on the AGCC states economies.

The Supreme Council also directed the concerned ministerial committee to do all that would contribute in stabilising the oil prices in a manner that achieves a balanced and joint interests of the producing and consuming countries.

The Supreme Council also reviewed recommendations and follow-up reports submitted by the ministerial council and the achievements that have been made in the joint action march since Supreme Council’s last session in various spheres.

The Supreme Council has also discussed the regional and international political, security and economic issues and the rapid developments being witnessed in the region and the world and took appropriate resolutions in their regard which are: First, in joint cooperation fields in economic field, the Supreme Council has viewed the submitted reports on implementation of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’ proposal as to streamline performance and remove barriers that face the joint action progress and approved proposed solutions in the economic fields.

It directed the concerned authorities and committees operating within the AGCC framework to eliminate such barriers not later than end of September 2009 in order to enhance economic integration and strengthen economic citizenship among the AGCC citizens. It has also approved a mechanism to implement the Supreme Council’s resolutions so as to consolidate economic integration among the AGCC states, complete its stages, implement the timetables for the setting up of monetary union, and launching the single currency as approved by the Supreme Council at the Muscat summit in December 2001.

The council also approved the monetary union agreement, which covers the legislative and institutional frameworks. It has also approved the basic statue of the monetary council, calling for quick approval of the agreement, so as to establish the monetary council which will undertake working out the technical requirements for the monetary union, in a bid to establish the central bank and launching of the single currency.

The council has also reviewed work progress made in the AGCC common market, approved the market’s document which includes its principles, requirements, objectives and implementation mechanisms and resolutions taken in its regard.

It stressed on the importance for its implementation in a manner that achieves maximum benefit for the AGCC states and citizens.

The Supreme Council also discussed the march of economic integration among the AGCC states through the follow-up report submitted to it regarding the work progress made in the customs union, the common market, the monetary union and the long- term comprehensive development strategy 2000-2025, the water link project between the AGCC states, the AGCC railway project and study of its economic feasibility, the smart card and its usage to facilitate movement of the AGCC citizens.

It also discussed continuity of the systems at member states, the Supreme Council approved seeds, fertilisers and saplings law to be compulsory.

Under the blessed march led by His Majesty King Sheikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the emir of the Kingdom of Bahrain, the council appreciated the economic vision of the Kingdom of Bahrain which sets long-term scenarios for future trends of its national economy till the year 2030 and hopes that this integrated economic programme would modernise the Bahraini economy, increase productivity, innovation, economic, social and cultural growth and world competitiveness as part of enhancing the joint economic, social and cultural work among the AGCC states.

As with regard to negotiations with countries and economic blocs, the Supreme Council has welcomed the signing of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the AGCC states and Singapore, hoping that negotiations would be over in order to establish the FTA with friendly countries and blocs and sign these agreements as soon as possible.

The Supreme Council expressed its regret to the EU for not responding with the AGCC states’ proposal to strike an FTA between them, the thing that have led to suspension of such negotiations by the AGCC member states.

With regard to security coordination and cooperation, the Supreme Council has expressed its satisfaction with the security cooperation and coordination among the member states, approved the AGCC states’ comprehensive security strategy after its modernization.

The Supreme Council has also approved the basic statue of the AGCC anti-drugs criminal information centre due to be established in Qatar. With regard to combating terrorism and piracy, the Supreme Council has underlined the AGCC states’ clear stands, which denounce all kinds and sources of terrorism. In this regard, the Supreme Council, hailed efficiency and capabilities of Bahrain’s security service and the impressive preventive security operation it made which had foiled terrorist attacks aimed at targeting stability of Bahrain and peace and security of its citizens.

The council emphasised its support for Bahrain for the whole measures it has taken to maintain security, stability and the wellbeing of the citizens of Bahrain and the country as a whole. It called for enhancing international cooperation in combating terrorism, by sharing information, and not allowing using other countries’ territories to mastermind and encourage terrorist activities. It also called for cooperation to hand over elements involved in terrorist activities.

Further, the council has voiced concern over increased piracy operations in the international water passages in the Gulf of Aden, and the Red Sea by irresponsible Somali elements. It called for establishing regional and international cooperation and coordination to fight and eliminate such activities as per the UN Security Council’s resolution No. 1851 issued on December 16, 2008. In the field of military affairs, the council reviewed what has been submitted by the joint Defence Council on the development of joint peninsula shield forces in accordance with the resolutions taken by the Supreme Council at its previous sessions. The council also reviewed the coordination and cooperating among the AGCC countries, as well as, everything that may contribute and develop the joint defence among the member countries. The Supreme Council blessed the achievements and directed to complete the steps and measures in this respect.

In the field of human and environment affairs, the Supreme Council discussed a number of joint works in the field of environment. It approved the proposals to implement work programmes that increase the number of job opportunities for the national manpower. It also approved the cultural strategy for the member countries and stressed drafting the programmes and executive activities for its items.

The Supreme Council also approved the following systems:

1. The guidance manual for construction business and system unit.

2. The guidance manual for safeguarding the architectural design; and

3. The guidance system for archeology.

The Supreme Council earlier welcomed the contents of His Majesty King Sheikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the emir of the Kingdom of Bahrain’s speech on the occasion of the Accession Day and National Day about initiating a law on family affairs as this stresses the care provided for the Gulf woman and the role she plays in the development of society.

In the field of media cooperation, the Supreme Council reviewed the media cooperation among the AGCC countries and expressed its satisfaction over what has been achieved in terms of media joint work.

The Supreme Council also reviewed the steps taken to follow up the resolutions taken by the Supreme Council on the initiative included in the letter addressed to His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the emir of the state of Qatar, chairman of the 28th AGCC summit, the recommendations on the satellites forum, value and ethics challenges facing the Gulf youths.

It expressed its appreciation for the efforts exerted by the Supreme Council for family affairs in Qatar to organise the forum. The Supreme Council decided to refer the outcome of the forum to the respective organisations in the member countries.

In the field of the AGCC consultative authority work of the Supreme Council, the

Supreme Council reviewed the visions of the consultative authority on inflation, price hike and their impact on the AGCC nationals and economies. It also reviewed the problem of job seekers, its reasons, impacts and means of resolving it.

The council approved and referred to the respective ministerial committees to put the required mechanisms for their implementation.

The Supreme Council also delegated the Consultative Authority with the task of studying the following topics:

1. The global financial crisis and its impact on the AGCC countries, as well as, the measures that may be taken.

2. Food and water security to the AGCC countries.

The Supreme Council also hailed the efforts undertaken by the Supreme Council’s Consultative Authority and the constructive visions raised to the Supreme Council to enhance the blessed cooperation march in all domains.

The Supreme Council also blessed the outcome of the routine meeting for chairmen of the AGCC Shura, representatives, national and umma councils and hailed the efforts undertaken by these councils, as well as, the visions raised by them to the Supreme Council with the aim of enhancing the joint work, stability and welfare for the AGCC states and peoples.

In the field of cooperation with the Yemeni Republic, the Supreme Council reviewed the cooperation tracks in the field of development projects and the success that has been made in 2008. It hailed the growing cooperation between the AGCC countries and the sisterly Yemen republic. It approved the membership of the Yemeni Republic at the AGCC standardisation authority and Gulf organisation for industrial consultancy, the AGCC auditing authority and GULF radio and TV.

The Supreme Council has taken the legal and administrative measures in this regard to ensure that Yemen has the same rights and obligations in these organisations as it is the case with AGCC countries.

Secondly, on the Palestinian issue and the Middle East peace process, the leaders reviewed the current painful events in the Gaza strip, as well as, the destruction inflicted by the Israeli killing military machine without giving any human considerations or international legitimacy laws.

The AGCC leaders decided to initiate urgent communications with the UN Security Council’s permanent members to urge the international community to shoulder its responsibilities.

The council expressed its grave concern and utmost dissatisfaction for the blatant Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people, which resulted in large number of deaths and injuries, as well as, the destruction of properties and killing of innocents without any deterrence by consciousness or observation of any moral principles or human considerations or the international legitimacy laws.

The Supreme Council strongly condemned this outrageous aggression by Israel and held it largely responsible for pushing matters to this grave level by its obstinate policies and inhuman practices against the Palestinian people.

The council requested Israel to stop showing power and torturing Palestinian unarmed people, lift the unfair blockage on all the Palestinian lands, especially the Gaza Strip. It also called upon the international community to bear its full responsibilities and

immediately move to halt the massacres and assaults by the Israeli killing machine, as well as, provide the Palestinian people with the required protection.

The council also affirmed that the Palestinian unity is the fortification and shield

that protects the Palestinian people. It called on all Palestinian factions to rally their ranks and have a single stance at such critical stage experienced by the Palestinian cause to secure the unity of its lands, restore its legitimate rights and establish its independent state with east Jerusalem as its capital.

The Supreme Council also reviewed the deterioration of the Middle East peace process due to Israel’s continuation in imposing a suffocating siege on the Palestinian people especially in Gaza Strip, its challenge for the international legitimacy resolutions, expansion in building settlements, encroaching on land by building the separation wall and going ahead with digging works which threatens the Al Aqsa mosque and change of the Arab and Islamic identity of Al Quds.

The Supreme Council emphasised the importance of the Israeli withdrawal from the occupied Arab territories, including the Syrian Golan Heights, to the June 4 borderline, and a further withdrawal from the remaining occupied lands in south Lebanon as per the Security Council’s resolutions Nos. 425 and 426.

The Supreme Council voiced its hope that the US President-elect Barack Obama will attach the Palestinian issue and Middle East peace process top priority in the US foreign policy to fulfil the commitments and promises towards establishing an independent viable Palestinian state that can live in peace and security side by side with Israel. They also hoped that he could bring permanent, just and comprehensive peace to the Middle East.

The Supreme Council affirmed the content of the speech of Prince Saud Al Faisal, current chairman of the Arab League Ministerial Council and Amr Moousa, Arab League secretary-general which highlighted the Arab stance towards the developments of the Arab-Israeli conflict.

The Supreme Council also reiterated the readiness of Arabs to establish permanent, just and comprehensive peace on the basis of land for peace principle, the international legitimacy resolutions and the Middle East peace initiatives and its requirements.

His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the emir of the state of Qatar and chairman of the 28th AGCC Supreme Council’s summit has briefed AGCC leaders on the last visit by him to the Islamic Republic of Iran which affirmed the constructive dialogue that build confidence and enhance relations between the AGCC countries and Iran in all fields in a way that serve the security and stability in the region.

On the issue of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s continued occupation of the UAE’s three islands, the council reaffirmed the UAE’s right to regain the islands of greater and lesser Tunbs and Abu Musa and their continental shelves, territorial waters and the pure economic zone as an integral part of the UAE.

It also expressed regret at failure to reach positive results with the Islamic Republic of Iran to settle the issue of the three islands which contribute to enhancing the stability and security of the region. It also looked in all peaceful means that may lead to restore the UAE right in its three islands.

It also urged the Islamic Republic of Iran to show positive response to initiatives taken by the UAE to resolve the issue through direct negotiations or revert to the court.

On Iran’s nuclear file, the Supreme Council stressed the importance of abiding by the international legitimacy principles and renewed its stance, which calls for solving this crisis through diplomatic means. The Supreme Council welcomed negotiations between Islamic Republic of Iran and the western countries and hoped that a diplomatic settlement may be reached to enhance the regional and international stability.

It also reiterated its demand to make the Middle East region, including the Gulf region, free from all weapons of mass destruction, while acknowledging the right of the region’s countries to seek nuclear expertise and possess nuclear energy for peaceful purposes based on the relevant international agreements.

On the Iraqi issue, the council stressed the necessity to respect sovereignty, territorial unity and independence of Iraq, protection to Arabic and Islamic identity, and not to interfere in its internal affairs. It also stressed that the realisation of peace and stability requires expediting in achieving Iraqi national reconciliation to ensure the success of the comprehensive political process which should involve all the Iraqis without exceptions or discrimination. It also urged the UN and other respective bodies to continue their efforts in restoring the national archive of Kuwait and know the destiny of the remainder of captives and those unaccounted for, from Kuwait and other nationalities.

On the Lebanese affair, the council welcomed Lebanon’s entrance of a new political stage to complete the terms of Doha agreement which was reached under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the emir of the state of Qatar. It also welcomed the preparatory measures to conduct public parliamentary election next year.

The Supreme Council also hailed the achievements made by the political leadership and all the Lebanese parties to address the security situation in Lebanon, the thing which provided a positive environment for dialogue and reconciliation among the Lebanese brothers and restoration of stability and welfare to the brotherly Lebanon.

In this connection, the council welcomed the historic step taken by both Syria and Lebanon to establish diplomatic relations between the two brotherly countries.

On Darfur issue, the Supreme Council voiced concern over the ongoing human suffering in Darfur, and praised the efforts of the Sudanese government and its cooperation with the international community to put an end to the Darfur unrest.

The council expressed its solidarity with the Republic of Sudan in not accepting the non-balanced stance of the international criminal court. In this connection, the Supreme Council hailed the efforts undertaken by the Arab and African ministerial committee under the chairmanship of state of Qatar to prepare for and host the peace talks between the Sudanese government and the armed movements which is scheduled to take place in Qatar.

The council is looking forward to the success of these negotiations and achieving the prospective Sudanese reconciliation. The Supreme Council expressed deep regret at the deteriorating situation in Somalia and reiterated its call to all parties to stop violence and abandon all operations that hinder the efforts to achieve national reconciliation.

In this context, the council affirmed its support for the agreement which has been reached in Djibouti on June 9, 2008 and urged all Somali parties to abide by the Jeddah agreement which was reached under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, which aimed at putting and end to the human suffering and provide the Somali brotherly people with peace, stability and welfare. The council expressed its deep appreciation for the great and sincere efforts exerted by His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, emir of Qatar, and the chairman of the previous AGCC Supreme Council’s summit and his wise government for their keenness and follow up of the implementation of the Supreme Council’s resolutions.

It also expressed deep appreciation for the steps and impressive achievements made which have pushed the joint cooperation march to more developed stages, wider scopes and towards further progress and prosperity for the Agcc countries’ peoples.

At the end, the Supreme Council expressed its deep appreciation for His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said, the Sultan of Oman and chairman of the current session of the Supreme Council, his wise government and the people of Oman for the warm welcome and generous hospitality and sincere brotherly feelings that have been extended to AGCC leaders.

The AGCC leaders also pointed out to the great attention and wise management by His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said which had great impact in reaching important outcomes and resolutions.

They also voiced their confidence that the Sultanate of Oman, through its chairmanship of this current session, will push forward the AGCC’s blessed march towards more achievements and wider scopes in light of the accelerating local, regional and international developments and in a way that maintain the security, stability and welfare for the AGCC peoples and the region.

The Supreme Council welcomed the invitation by His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah, emir of the state of Kuwait, to hold the 30th session in Kuwait in 2009.