BAHRAIN: ASEAN and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) wrapped up their first ministerial meeting between the two groupings on Thursday, with agreements to explore the possibility of establishing an ASEAN-GCC cooperation framework and a trade agreement.

They will also look into ways to foster tourism and people-to-people ties. Studies have been commissioned on these areas and the results will be reviewed in September.

A timeline for establishing a free trade agreement between both groupings will also be decided in September, said Bahrain's Foreign Minister Sheikh Khaled bin Ahmed al-Khalifa, who initiated the meeting in the Bahraini capital, Manama.

Secretariats for both regional blocs have been tasked to develop a GCC-ASEAN two-year work plan to ensure tangible outcomes.

The work plan is to be reviewed at the second ministerial meeting, which will be held in 2010 in an ASEAN country.

Singapore's Foreign Minister George Yeo joined his nine other ASEAN counterparts to discuss issues such as energy, food security and sustainable development with foreign ministers of the six GCC member states.

According to a statement from Singapore's Foreign Affairs Ministry (MFA), the ASEAN ministers also paid a courtesy call on Bahrain's King Shaikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, who hosted them to lunch at his palace.

Over the last two days, Mr Yeo called separately on Bahrain's Prime Minister Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa and Crown Prince Shaikh Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, and held bilateral talks with his Bahraini counterpart Shaikh Khalid.

MFA said both sides affirmed the longstanding and excellent ties between their countries at the meetings.

Singapore already has a free trade agreement with Bahrain that was signed in December last year.

Singapore's property giant CapitaLand is the republic's first major investor in the Middle East when it linked up with Bahrain-based investment bank, Arcapita, for the Bahrain Bay project – a US$2.5 billion landmark waterfront community located in Manama.

Mr Yeo also visited the Bahrain F1 race circuit, the Qal'at al-Bahrain fort – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – and the King Fahd Causeway which connects Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.


- CNA/so