Ongoing talks between the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the European Union regarding the creation of a free-trade agreement have hit a snag, according to the emirate daily The National.
The paper reports the differences emerged on Monday during a meeting of foreign ministers representing the two organizations. The paper quoted unnamed officials as saying there were disagreements over human rights and the customs duty to be levied on exports from the Gulf.
The GCC comprises Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, the UAE and Oman. Several of these countries are often accused by Western governments and rights organizations of failing to grant equal human rights to all citizens and foreigners in their respective countries.
The official communiqué issued following the meeting does not hint at the problems:
“The two sides noted with satisfaction the progress achieved at the meetings held between the GCC and EU experts on energy, environment, climate change, economy, and higher education. They welcomed the results of the ongoing activities to promote public diplomacy and outreach between the two regions. They also welcomed initiatives on clean energy technologies, scientific Research and Development, and exchanges on higher education between the two regions. The Joint Council expressed its determination to further strengthen the GCC and EU relationship in all areas covered by the 1988 Cooperation Agreement.”
The teams – headed by Omani Foreign Minister Yousuf Bin ‘Alawi bin ‘Abdallah and his Czech counterpart, Karel Schwazenberg – mooted various key issues affecting the Middle East and its relations with Europe.
The parties reaffirmed their commitment to a two-state solution for the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and urged Syria and Israel to resume their indirect peace talks, which broke off just before Israel’s February 10 election.
The sides said they would not recognize any post-1967 borders unless they are agreed by the Palestinians and Israelis. The also backed the Arab initiative, which calls for a full Israeli withdrawal to 1967 lines in exchange for a full peace deal with the entire Arab world.
The GCC and EU called on Iran to “restore confidence in the exclusively peaceful nature of its nuclear program.”
They also expressed concern about “the lack of progress towards resolving the dispute between the United Arab Emirates and the Islamic Republic of Iran over the three islands of Abu Mousa, Lesser Tunb and Greater Tunb.” The islands in the Gulf are administered by Iran but claimed by the UAE. There is thought to be an Iranian military presence on Greater Tunb.