Gulf Cooperation Council

The Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (Arabic: مجلس التعاون لدول الخليج), formerly named and still commonly called Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) (مجلس التعاون الخليجي) is a regional organization involving the six Persian Gulf Arab States with many economic and social objectives in mind. Created May 25, 1981, the Council is comprised of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

It should be noted that not all of the countries neighboring the Persian Gulf are members of the council. Specifically, Iran and Iraq are not members.

Yemen is currently (as of 2006) in negotiations for GCC membership, and hopes to join by 2016. [1]

Among the stated objectives are:

• Formulating similar regulations in various fields such as economy, finance, trade, customs, tourism, legislation, and administration
• Fostering scientific and technical progress in industry, mining, agriculture, water and animal resources
• Establishing scientific research centres
• Setting up joint ventures
• Encouraging cooperation of the private sector
• Strengthening ties between their peoples
• Establishing a common currency by 2010

Secretaries-general of GCC

• Abdullah Bishara (Kuwait) : 26 May 1981 - Apr 1993 .
• Fahim bin Sultan AlQasimi (United Arab Emirates) :Apr 1993 - Apr 1996.
• Jamil ibn Ibrahim AlHujailan (Saudi Arabia) : Apr 1996 - 31 Mar 2002.
• Abdul Rahman ibn Hamad AlAttiyah (Qatar) : 1 Apr 2002 - current.

See also

• GCC logo
• Persian Gulf Arab States
• Iran-Arab relations for information on Iran's relations with Arab countries
• Euro-Mediterranean free trade area (EU-MEFTA)
• Middle East Free Trade Area (US-MEFTA)
• List of Trade blocs

External links

• Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf Secretariat General
• English language translation of the Charter
• GCC Trade Exchange
• Flag of The Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf
• A new fiscal framework for GCC countries ahead of monetary union, Chatham House, May 2006
• Border security in the Gulf States (extract) June 2006