Saudi political and academic leaders have expressed optimism regarding the future of the six-member Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) as the bloc celebrates its 32nd anniversary of establishment in Abu Dhabi on May 25, 1981.

“The GCC, by comparison with identical blocs, has realized much of the aspirations particularly with regard to political and economic aspects,” said Hamad Al-Qadi, member of the Shoura Council.

Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah congratulated the GCC leaders on the bloc’s anniversary, according to KUNA. He extended his congratulations during the Kuwaiti Cabinet’s weekly session on Monday at Seif Palace.

Shoura member Al-Qadi praised the common stand taken by the GCC countries on Arab, Islamic, and international issues. “We are living in an age that advocates collective opinion,” he said. “Neither myself nor anyone else claims that the GCC has achieved what we have been aspiring for, or what the people of the council states look forward to.”

However, he expressed his belief that the GCC has “kept moving forward on the same path in a phased and balanced fashion.” He said he hopes the GCC will make more accomplishments, namely transformation into a confederation, in line with the call of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah.

He added “that establishing a Gulf union will give the GCC greater might and weight at the political, economic, commercial, financial, cultural and civic levels.” The establishment of the GCC, Al-Qadi added, was intended to bolster the regional countries’ unity, activate political, economic, cultural and social cooperation by means of implementing the resolutions issued by the Gulf summits.

Abdul Rahman Al-Saleh, a professor at King Saud University, said in a statement to KUNA that the GCC was established due to the aspirations of every citizen in the countries of the region, noting “the historic bonds that have been bounding us.”

“Aspirations are much higher than our current status,” Al-Saleh said. He hailed the “achievements that have been made on the ground” on the economic front, namely the establishment of the GCC Customs Union, the common market and endorsement of the planned issue of the GCC single currency.

He underscored some tangible accomplishments such as facilities for the movement of citizens across borders of the GCC member states.

He called for the launching of joint economic ventures as a way of enhancing further integration at the political and social levels. Al-Saleh hoped to see greater cooperation in exchange of scientific and educational expertise. He also called for the facilitation of GCC students’ integration in the universities in council member-countries. He said he was optimistic that the GCC countries would be able to face regional challenges, citing the unified stand in face of the 1990 Iraqi invasion of Kuwait.

“Politicians of the Gulf believe in the GCC confederation and are seeking to make this objective a reality,” he said.