Saudi Arabia has criticised its Gulf neighbours for forging separate economic and security agreements with foreign powers, accusing them of weakening Gulf solidarity. "It is alarming to see some members of the GCC enter into separate bilateral agreements with international powers in both the security and economic spheres, taking precedence over the need to act collectively," Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal told a conference on security in the Gulf on Sunday.
| A bit unhappy over a mild deflation in Soddy hegemony over your neighbors? |
"These separate arrangements are not compatible with the spirit of the charter of the GCC [Gulf Cooperation Council]). They diminish the collective bargaining power and weaken not only the solidarity of the GCC as a whole but also each of its members in both the intermediate and long terms," he said. "In the economic sphere, the agreements entered into are in clear violation of the GCC's economic accords and decisions." Prince Saud added: "What is more important, these agreements impede the progressive steps needed to achieve full Gulf economic integration ... . They will ultimately negatively impact the economic sectors in all GCC countries, which in turn will have dire consequences and adversely affect the GCC business community."
| "How're we gonna make all of Arabia Soddy if you go doin' what you feel like doin'?" |
|