Arab League, Peace Initiatives and Gas Pipeline, Arab League and Arab Spring and Significance

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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 normalization of the relations with Israel. In exchange, Israel was required to withdraw from all occupied territories, including the Golan Heights, to recognize 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, defense 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.