Doha, February 07, SPA -- Turkish President Abdullah Gul, received last night at his residence in Doha, the Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Abdul-Rahman bin Hamad Al-Attiyah. The Secretary General said that he discussed with the Turkish President, aspects of cooperation between Turkey and the Council, particularly cooperation in spheres of economy and trade. They also reviewed special updates on negotiations to conclude a convention for the establishment of a free trade zone between the GCC States and Turkey. During the meeting, they discussed the latest developments in the Gaza Strip, Iraq, Lebanon and other issues of mutual concern. The GCC States and Turkey have signed a framework convention for Economic Cooperation three years ago under which the two sides had held two rounds of negotiations on a Convention for the establishment of a common free trade zone. Under this framework convention, the two sides are continuing contacts to hold a third round of talks at the GCC General Secretariat headquarters in Riyadh during the first quarter of this year, to complete the discussion of topics related to the rest of this Convention. The GCC is made up of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman.--SPA www.spa.gov.sa/524887