By IANS,
Abu Dhabi: The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) ended its two-day summit here Tuesday, with the bloc’s leaders vowing to support any international effort to combat terrorism and calling on Iran to commit itself to the basic principles of promoting good neighbourly ties.
In their closing statement, the leaders expressed the GCC’s denouncement of violence and terror-related extremism and the council’s support for any regional and international effort for combating terrorism.
The statement also called upon the international community to back the GCC proposal to establish a World Counter-terrorism Centre.
The GCC demanded Iran to commit itself to the basic principles of promoting good neighbourly ties, non-interference in the internal affairs of other, settlement of disputes through peaceful means and refrain from using or threatening to use the force in that respect.
The leaders reiterated their unwavering stand towards the United Arab Emirates’ sovereignty over its three islands — Greater and Lesser Tunbs and Abu Mousa — occupied by Iran.
In their statement, the leaders threw their weight behind the UAE’s right to regain sovereignty over its three islands.
They expressed their disappointment that the repeated contacts with Iran have not produced any positive outcome that would contribute to the resolution of the issue, and maintain the security and stability of the region.
The GCC also welcomed the international efforts to deal with the Iranian nuclear issue and called for the resolution of disputes through peaceful means and making the Middle East region free of nuclear weapons.
Earlier, UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan announced the conclusion of the 31st summit.
In a speech at the closing session, Sheikh Khalifa expressed his best wishes of speedy recovery for King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia after the successful back surgery.