The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the United Kingdom (UK) have expressed hope that the free trade talks would eventually lead to a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the GCC and the UK.
Addressing the opening session of the first stage of the GCC-UK free trade talks on Monday, Dr. Nayef Al Hajraf, Secretary-General of the GCC, voiced hope that the talks would lead to an ambitious Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and open new horizons for joint investment, according to a GCC Secretariat press release.
Dr. Hajraf stressed the importance of the friendly relations between the GCC states and the United Kingdom (UK) in serving the common interests of both sides.
The joint statement, signed with British Trade Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan on 22nd June, laid the groundwork for launching the negotiations today, Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) quoted Dr. Al Hajraf as saying.
The first stage of the talks, being held via video link, continues until 25th August.