Doha: Gulf leaders ended their annual summit here extending a hand of "goodwill" to Iran and announcing the "historic" launch of a common market.
But the six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states decided to keep their currencies pegged to the US dollar despite concerns over its weak value.
The two-day summit, dominated by a rare appearance by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, concluded with a final communique that also maintained the 2010 target to issue a single Gulf currency.
"There are gestures of goodwill and positive ideas from both sides," said Qatari Prime Minister Shaikh Hamad Bin Jasem Al Thani at the end of the summit, referring to the ties between Iran and its Arab neighbours.
Ahmadinejad addressed the summit on Monday proposing a 12-point blueprint to reinforce ties between the two sides, including economic and security arrangements.
"We will study those points and implement what is applicable," said Shaikh Hamad, adding that "if Iran was serious in its [positive] intentions, we can develop our relations for the sake of regional stability."
Speaking at the concluding press conference along GCC General Secretary Abdul Rahman Al Attiyah, Shaikh Hamad noted the six Gulf states had "special and strong ties with the United States ... but those ties will not stop us from having [good] relations with Iran."
He also said the Gulf states believe that Iran's nuclear programme was "peaceful as we understood from our Iranian brothers."
Rights and opportunities
Meanwhile, Al Attiyah described as "historic" the launch of the GCC Common Market, which according to the Doha Declaration, will go into effect on January 1. The market means the six states have become "one economic entity," the declaration said.
According to the pact, Gulf nationals will enjoy the same rights in the fields of travel, employment and education as well as the same economic, financial and investment opportunities in all states.
"It is a historic decision," Al Attiyah said, adding that the GCC was moving towards the implementation of a number of regional projects currently under study, including the joint nuclear energy programme, a common railway system and the water and power grids.
But the controversial weak dollar issue failed to make it to the final communique although it was discussed at the summit, according to the Qatari Premier.
