"The GCC this month celebrates its 32nd anniversary. It must be asked, however, what exactly is the bloc celebrating?
The past three decades have only produced empty rhetoric of cooperation and unity while Gulf states in fact grow further apart.
The GCC has not only failed to streamline its political systems, perhaps the biggest of the hurdles to a union, but also its economic and defence systems. The GCC customs union, considered a major achievement for the sleepy bloc, has already been undermined by the signing of bilateral free trade agreements with foreign states and blocs by individual member states. The monetary union and currency union have been put on the back burner due to egotistical squabbling between members. The joint visa system is moving at snail’s pace, and the joint passport has all but disappeared from the agenda. The rail system, while much delayed, remains our only source of hope for cooperation."
'via Blog this'
No comments:
Post a Comment