Premier Wen presses Arabs to sign free trade deal after 7 years of talk

[amoy]

PREMIER Wen Jiabao has called for the quick conclusion of talks on a free trade pact between China and the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) during a visit to the UAE, reports Gulfnews.com.

"Both sides need to show political will to sign the agreement as soon as possible," Premier Wen told participants at the fourth edition of the Chinese-Arab business conference in Sharjah. Negotiations have been going on for seven and a half years, while business communities on both sides would like to see" an agreement concluded, he said.

"The launch of a free trade area will bring benefits to both sides," said he premier, who is touring the Gulf as fears rise that tensions over Iran's nuclear programme will disrupt world oil supplies.

The GCC is a political and economic union of the Arab states bordering the Persian Gulf, including Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. Jordan and Morocco have been invited to join.

 

[Ray]

What have the Arabs said?

Or should I say what has the US told the Arabs to say?

I am afraid that unless the US Okays, the Arabs don't budge.