The gcc diplomatic rift and its reverberations upon romanian presence in the region

• Author: Ioana Florina Maglas
• Position: Faculty of History and Philosophy, Department of International Relations Babes-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
• Pages: 118-124

AGORA International Journal of Juridical Sciences, http://univagora.ro/jour/index.php/aijjs

ISSN 1843-570X, E-ISSN 2067-7677

No. 2 (2017), pp. 118-124

118

THE GCC DIPLOMATIC RIFT AND ITS REVERBERATIONS UPON ROMANIAN

PRESENCE IN THE REGION

I. F. MAGLAS

Maglas Ioana Florina

Faculty of History and Philosophy, Department of International Relations

Babeș-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania

*Correspondence: Maglas Ioana Florina, Doctoral School of International Relations and

Security Studies, 7-9 Universitatii St., Cluj-Napoca 400084, Romania

E-mail:MAGLAS.Ioana-Florina@ubbonline.ubbcluj.ro.

ABSTRACT

By virtue of their economic influence, the Arab States of the Gulf are highly interlinked within

the global community. Dimensions of globalization (such as outward looking focus on international

trade, openness, growing business opportunities and investment) are shifting their interests to a broad

spectrum of partners leading to increased connectivity platforms and links. Apparent deteriorating ties

seriously undermines relations among GCC

1

players and adversely affects its functioning. Current

dispute, centered on allegations about Qatar’s foreign policy, caused much consternation, in fact,

unequivocally conflicted with the interests of other members and escalated tensions. A scheme of

prolonged economic isolation for the Gulf state of Qatar presents challenges and opportunities for

Romania (particularly in food security initiatives in Qatar), however, in light of inter-regional

realignments, a united GCC stance must consequently prevail to promote stability and reinforce its

status of regional power in the Arab World, that would develop and maintain a strong bilateral

relationship between Romania and the GCC.

KEYWORDS: Gulf Cooperation Council, diplomatic crisis, trade, Romanian entities

INTRODUCTION

The official inauguration of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf

referred to as the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)

2

took place in May 1981 in the midst of

Iran-Iraq conflict with the Charter signed on the 25th of May in Abu Dhabi City, United Arab

Emirates.

3

In some ways the GCC mirrors the European Union. Essentially there are two core

intergovernmental bodies, a Supreme Council (consists of the six heads of the member states

and summoned once per year) and a Ministerial Council (comprised of six foreign ministers

which gather four times per year).

4

Qatar peninsula is about 11,586 sq. km and it connects to the mainland with eastern

border of Saudi Arabia.

5

Before falling under the control of the al Thani family in the mid-

nineteenth century, the present-day leadership of Bahrain (al Khalifa family) dominated parts

1

(Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is a political and economic union currently consisting of Bahrain, Kuwait,

Qatar, Oman, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates)

2

The Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf Secretariat General, ‘The Charter of the GCC’ (2016) ,

Article1, available at: http://www.gcc-sg.org/en-us/AboutGCC/Pages/Primarylaw.aspx (accessed on 7 th February

2017).

3

Riccardo Dugulin, ‘A Neighborhood Policy for the Gulf Cooperation Council’ (Gulf Papers Series,Gulf

Research Center, United Arab Emirates, 2010), p. 9.

4

The Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf Secretariat General, Or ganizational Structure, 2016,

available at: http://www.gcc-sg.org/en-us/AboutGCC/Pages/OrganizationalStructure.aspx , (accessed on 12th

July 2017).

5

Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), ‘World Fact Book: Middle East: Qatar’ available

at:https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/qa.html (accessed on 10th July, 2017).