EU-GCC trade talks conclude :: Daily Star

Quote:

The official, who did not wish to be identified due to the sensitivity of the talks, said the EU was unhappy with the bilateral free-trade agreements that GCC member states were signing individually and not as a bloc with the United States.

The GCC states met one of the EU requirements when they launched a customs union in January 2003 but implementation has hit serious snags.

Read the whole thing. See also this Khaleej Times report.

Background: The EU & the Gulf Cooperation Council. (At this writing last updated March 2005.)