Gulf in the News – January 10, 2014

Bahrain suspends “national dialogue” with opposition

Source: Al-Akhbar English (Read full story)

The Bahraini government has suspended a national dialogue with opposition groups aimed at ending nearly three years of political deadlock in the US-allied country, raising the prospect of further instability.  The opposition has boycotted the talks for months over the arrest of some of their leaders including their top chief Ali Salman last month, with prospects for a solution on the horizon looking bleak.

Renewing Qatar’s membership to OPCW Executive Council

Source: The Peninsula (Read full story)

At the request of the State of Qatar and its active participation in the activities of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) and via its membership in the OPCW Executive Council, the conference of the states parties to the convention on the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, held in the Hague of late, has renewed Qatar’s membership to the OPCW Executive Council for a new term of 2014-2016.  The OPCW Executive Council, consists of 41 members who are elected by the conference for a term of two years.

Gulf states are studying $10bn rail link to Yemen

Source: Gulf Times (Read full story)

Gulf countries are studying a $10bn plan to extend the length of a 2,177-km (1,353-mile) rail line between Kuwait and Oman by 60% in order to link it to Yemen in the south of the Arabian peninsula.  The six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council has begun a feasibility assessment of the additional 1,373-km section, which would feature 12 stations and terminate at the Yemeni border, Nada Abu al-Samh, a financial analyst at the GCC General Secretariat, said at a rail symposium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.  Gulf states are examining the plan as work progresses on the $15.5bn core rail route from the borders of Iraq to Muscat on the India Ocean.

German foreign minister: Geneva II ‘useless’ without Iran

Source: Al-Monitor (Read full story)

Germany’s voice is once more echoing on the level of international foreign policy. Frank-Walter Steinmeier, a veteran German politician, has become once again the leading figure in Berlin’s diplomacy after the formation of a coalition between the Social Democratic Party (SPD) to which he belongs and Chancellor Angela Merkel’s Christian Democratic Union (CDU).  One of the indications of this comeback was Steinmeier’s answer when asked by As-Safir about his views on the Geneva II talks, taking into consideration the conflicts within the opposition and the vagueness surrounding the final goal of the peace conference that has yet to be held. Steinmeier stated that the conference would be useless without the participation of Iran and a balanced participation of the opposition.

12-point strategy to boost inter-GCC trade in spotlight

Source: Arab News (Read full story)

The GCC Customs Union Authority (GCCCUA) and Federation of GCC Chambers (FGCCC) have jointly explored 12-point recommendations proposed by the GCCCUA on ways of activating inter-GCC trade and facilitate customs formalities, Saudi Press Agency reported.  The recommendations were discussed at a recent meeting, organized by the FGCCC, at the Council of Saudi Chambers (CSC) premises in Riyadh.  The recommendations called for the promotion of customs procedures.

Mohammed and Irish premier discuss relations

Source: Gulf Today (Read full story)

Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum received on Thursday the visiting Irish Prime Minister, Enda Kenny, and his accompanying delegation at his Palace in Zabeel, in the presence of  Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai.  Sheikh Mohammed and Kenny exchanged talks on the regional and global political and economic situation and ways to strengthen the opportunities for peace.