Gulf monarchies to boost links with Turkey

0 Comments | AFP, August, 2008

RIYADH (AFP) — Oil-rich Gulf monarchies will sign an accord with Turkey aimed at boosting ties between the pro-Western Arab bloc and Ankara, the chief of the Gulf Cooperation Council said on Sunday.

The "memorandum of understanding" to be inked in the Saudi Red Sea city of Jeddah on Tuesday will provide for "cooperation in the economic, political and security domains," GCC Secretary General Abdurrahman al-Attiyah told AFP.

Attiyah said GCC foreign ministers are due to meet in Jeddah on Tuesday and will hold talks with their Turkish counterpart Ali Babacan on the sidelines of the meeting.

The MoU will pave the way for the conclusion of a free trade agreement between the GCC and Turkey that has been under negotiation since 2005, he said.

The GCC groups...