31/07/2002 (Agence Europe) - Last week, the President of the EU Council, Per Stig Møller and the new Secretary General of the Gulf Co-operation Council, Abdulrahman Ben Hamad Al-Attiyah met to discuss the work being undertaken between the GCC and the EU for a free trade agreement. The GCC Secretary General indicated that the objective of the group was to set up a customs union on 1 January 2003 and monetary union. A Danish Presidency press release explained that, "Civil rights and democracy, themes that constitute part of the EU's negotiation mandate in the area of free trade, were discussed". The communiqué also pointed out that "for the EU, these themes constitute a key element in all future agreements with countries and organisations, which is recognised by the General Secretary of the GCC". Two speakers also insisted that Iraq respects UN resolutions, such as admitting United Nations inspectors onto its territory again. The meeting will finally enable a meeting to take place between the EU Troika and the GCC, planned in September in New York within the context of the UN General Assembly.