Arab League
For unified Arab Nationalism
The Arab League currently has 22
members and four observers(India is one).Membership based on common
culture.
The main goal of the league is to "draw closer the relations between
member States and co-ordinate collaboration between them, to safeguard their
independence and sovereignty, and to consider in a general way the affairs and
interests of the Arab countries
It has served as a forum for the
member states to coordinate their policy positions, to deliberate on matters of
common concern, to settle some Arab disputes, and to limit conflicts such as
the 1958 Lebanon crisis
The League has served as a platform for the drafting and conclusion of many
landmark documents promoting economic integration. One example is the Joint
Arab Economic Action Charter which sets out the principles for economic
activities in the region
the signing of an agreement on Joint Defense and Economic Cooperation on 13
April 1950 committed the signatories to coordination of military defense
measures.
Through institutions such as the Arab League Educational, Cultural and
Scientific Organization (ALECSO) and the Economic and Social Council of the
Arab League's Council of Arab Economic Unity (CAEU), the Arab League
facilitates political, economic, cultural, scientific and social programs
designed to promote the interests of the Arab world
The Arab League has played a role in shaping school curricula, advancing
the role of women in the Arab societies, promoting child welfare, encouraging
youth and sports programs, preserving Arab cultural heritage, and fostering
cultural exchanges between the member states.
Arab Peace Initiative:
2002, the league adopted the Arab Peace
Initiative,a Saudi-inspired
peace plan for the Arab–Israeli conflict. The initiative offered full
normalisation of the relations with Israel. In exchange, Israel was required to
withdraw from all occupied territories, including the Golan Heights, to
recognise Palestinian independence in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, with East
Jerusalem as its capital, as well as a "just solution" for the
Palestinian refugees.
Arab Gas
Pipeline:
scheduled to be accomplished in
2010. It will transport Egyptian and Iraqi gas to Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, and
Turkey.
The
Greater Arab Free Trade Area (GAFTA):
planned to come into effect on 1
January 2008, will render 95% of all Arab products free of customs
Arab League and Arab Spring:
Suspended Libya in a protest against Muammar Gaddafi's crackdown on
demonstrators-then made the key recommendation for a U.N.-backed no-fly zone
over the country-despite the broad support given to military action at an
earlier Arab League meeting last month, only Qatar has been prepared to contribute
forces-expressed support to Libyan NTC-Libya regains seat
The sanction given by the League was very imp in imposing No-Fly-Zone.
The hesitancy in dealing with revolts has opened the door for potential
rivals. The Gulf Cooperation Council has been active in league-member Yemen,
mediating a still-unsigned transition deal between the opposition and the
government.
The Arab Leagued announced on Sep,10 it has reached a deal with Syria on
"reforms" aimed at ending government violence against protesters. If
Syrian govt seeks help of GCC then arab League will be further marginalised
The Arab foreign ministers issued a statement voicing support for the wise
steps undertaken by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa to restore
national security and stability in Bahrain.
Significance:
"India and the Arab Nations will soon become major trading partners,
exhibiting significant improvement in two-way trade and is expected to reach
$120 billion by 2010–11 and $240 billion by 2014,"-CII
It said that there is a huge potential for both the sides to cooperate in
areas like oil and gas, chemicals, real estate, infrastructure and food
processing.
Investments from the region into India have been on a continuous upswing,
especially in sectors such as telecom and infrastructure, the report added
"Security, defence and education are new areas of interest which will
forge the relationship ahead,"
After the European Union distanced itself from the resolution of Kashmir
issue, the Arab League said it has "no position" vis-a-vis the issue.
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