Gulf nations intends to pursue nuclear energy technology for peaceful purposes

Six Gulf Arab nations announced here Sunday that they intended to pursue nuclear technology for peaceful purposes and would establish a joint plan in this regard.

The six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) made the announcement in a final statement at the end of the bloc's two-day summit which kicked off here on Saturday.

"The (leaders) commissioned a study by members of the Gulf Cooperation Council to set up a common program in the area of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, according to international standards and systems," said the statement read by GCC Secretary General Abdul-Rahman al-Attiya.

"The peaceful use of nuclear energy is the right of every country," said Attiya, underlining that "every nuclear-related activity will abide by international treaties and be subject to inspection."

In a press conference after the summit, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal dismissed the speculation that GCC's nuclear intention would add to the regional threat.

"We will develop it openly, not in secret. We want no bombs. All we want is a whole Middle East that is free of weapons of mass destruction," he told reporters.

The Gulf states have always been concerned about neighboring Iran's nuclear program that many suspect is secretly developing atomic weapons.

Faisal, meanwhile, called on Israel to accept international inspection on its nuclear facilities, saying that "Israel has no excuse to develop nuclear arms."

The GCC, founded in 1981, is a regional political and economic alliance aimed at enhancing cooperation among its six member states, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar and Oman.

Source: Xinhua