Rumor mill: Egypt could be the next GCC member state
The Gulf Corporation Council is just a hotbed of inclusivity these days.
According to Gulf sources quoted by Kuwait’s Al-Watan newspaper, the GCC is considering allowing Egypt to join the group.
It’s not in the Gulf, but then again, neither are Jordan and Morocco.
Al Arabiya reports:
The sources also said that the GCC states are enthusiastic about Egypt joining, as the country has the capabilities and shares mutual strategic interests with the Gulf states. Egypt’s security historically has also been linked to the security of the Gulf, they added.
Egypt and Morocco are the only Arab economies classified as emerging markets, and Egypt boasts the biggest army in the Arab world.
In addition, Egypt and the GCC states have strong mutual interests.
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The GCC currently consists of Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.
What do you think?