ATIYYAH THANKED THE LEADERS ON THE CONFIDENCE BESTOWED ON HIM TO CONTINUE HIS MISSION AS SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE GCC BEYOND THE EXPIRATION DATE OF HIS CURRENT TERM OF OFFICE. HE SAID THE MEETING COMMISSIONED HIM TO FURTHER STUDY THE IDEAS CONTAINED IN A PAPER SUBMITTED TO THE SUMMIT BY KUWAIT ON THE ECONOMIC, DEVELOPMENTAL, SECURITY AND POLITICAL ASPECTS OF THE JOINT MARCH OF THE GCC, VOWING TO SUBMIT THE OUTCOME OF THE SECRETARIAT GENERAL REVIEW ON THE STUDY TO THE NEXT SUMMIT IN MUSCAT IN DECEMBER 2007. HE SAID THE CUSTOM UNION HAS BECOME A REALITY SINCE 2003, INCREASING THE TRADE EXCHANGE AMONG THE MEMBER COUNTRIES TO MORE THAN 20 PERCENT. THE COMMON MARKET OF THE GCC COUNTRIES WOULD PROVIDE EQUAL JOB OPPORTUNITIES AND INVESTMENT FOR THEIR CITIZENS IN ADDITION TO HEALTH AND EDUCATIONAL SERVICES IN ANY MEMBER STATE. --MORE
