Gulf in the News – December 5, 2013

Saudi Arabia, Russia in push for Syria solution

Source: Arab News (Read full story)

Saudi intelligence chief has held a new meeting in Russia with President Vladimir Putin on the Syrian conflict, the second closed-door encounter this year.  The Kremlin said in a statement that Prince Bandar bin Sultan discussed with Putin at the president’s suburban Moscow residence the situation in the Middle East and preparations for a Syria peace conference planned in January. … Lina Sobonina, a Russian political analyst and researcher, told Al Arabiya News Channel that the discussion could address President Bashar Assad’s future role in Syria. Russia might also invite Saudi Arabia to attend the Geneva II conference.  “Russia believes that the participation of all regional powers would be useful and necessary, including Iran and Saudi Arabia,” Sobonina said.

Opec agrees to maintain output cap at 30mn bpd

Source: Gulf Times (Read full story)

Energy ministers from Opec countries agreed yesterday to keep the group’s target for crude output unchanged at 30mn bpd.  “We have rolled it over,” Saudi Arabia’s Ali al-Naimi told reporters after three hours of closed-door talks finished in Vienna. “We are all satisfied.” …  Some analysts warn that excess supply, including US shale oil and a potential resurgence in exports from Iran, Libya and Iraq, may push prices lower next year if production cuts aren’t made. Brent crude has settled above $100 a barrel for all but five days this year.

UAE keen to boost region security: Shaikh Khalifa

Source: Khaleej Times (Read full story)

The UAE is looking forward to strengthening security and stability in the region and to boosting cooperation with Iran for the benefit of their people, the President, His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, said on Wednesday.  Welcoming Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammed Javad Zarif at Al Rawdah Palace, Shaikh Khalifa said that the UAE welcomes the developments witnessed by Iran and the signing of an initial agreement on its peaceful nuclear programme.  His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, also received Mohammed Javad Zarif at Zaabeel Palace in Dubai.

Qatar condemns use of chemical arms in Syria

Source: Gulf Times (Read full story)

The State of Qatar has reiterated its condemnation of the use of chemical weapons in Syria, calling on the international community to force the Syrian regime to implement the decisions of the Executive Council of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) and UN Security Council resolution 2118.  Qatar held the international community the responsibility to push the Syrian regime to continue its persistent in the killing and the use of these weapons in Ghouta and described putting the Syrian chemical weapons under control and then destroying them quickly as the first step in the right direction towards achieving the universality of the Convention on the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.

UAE urges balanced WTO deal

Source: Khaleej Times (Read full story)

UAE Minister of Economy Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansouri has affirmed that the UAE as part of the world’s developing countries believes in the multilateral trading system, and that focus on the development dimension will boost ambitions of reaching a balanced deal that serves the interests of the developed, the developing and least developed countries alike.  Al Mansouri delivered a speech at a plenary session of the 9th WTO Ministerial Conference, or the MC9, which is being held in Bali, before ministers and heads of 159 member states…

Qatar, Turkey sign pact in energy generation

Source: Gulf Times (Read full story)

Qatar and Turkey signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in energy generation following a round of talks headed by HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the Emiri Diwan here yesterday.  The two sides reviewed bilateral relations and means of bolstering and promoting them in all fields. Regional and international issues of mutual concern, with emphasis on the situation in Syria, were also taken up. Following the talks the Emir and Turkey’s prime minister witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in energy generation co-operation between Qatar Holding and Electric Ortime Company of Turkey.