Gulf Co-operation Council leaders meet in Riyadh today

Six nation Gulf Co-operation Council, GCC leaders will meet in Riyadh today to discuss closer union between the countries in the region. Bahrain has said that the proposed union could be based on the model of European Union and the union could start first with Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. GCC is comprised of Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar and United Arab Emirates.

Official Correspondent reports, ahead of the Consultative summit in Riyadh, the Bahrain Minister of State for Information Sameera Rajab made a strong pitch for a closer political union. She said the Union could begin with Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. The proposed union could be along the lines of EU but keep in mind the regional differences. GCC countries are in the process of developing a common Gulf Police Force and a Gulf High Commission after removing the trade barriers among them. The idea of a Gulf Union , an integrated political and economic powerhouse was mooted first by the Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz at the GCC Summit in Riyadh in December last year in the wake of threats to the security and stability in the region. Experts say the move is reflection of the growing perception of threats in the GCC countries from Iran and Al Qaeda after the Arab Spring.