RIYADH (IRNA) -- Leaders of the Persian Gulf states said in a statement on Sunday they need to produce nuclear energy and called for making the Middle East free from weapons of mass destruction (WMDs).

The statement read at the close of a two-day Persian Gulf Cooperation Council (PGCC) summit said that they want nuclear technology to generate electricity in line with Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and Safeguards Agreement of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

The statement called for dialogue to resolve the dispute on Iranian nuclear program between Iran and the Western states and said that the dispute should be settled through close cooperation between Iran and the UN specialized nuclear agency.

The PGCC also called on Israel to cooperate with IAEA over its nuclear energy facilities.

"The higher committee ordered a PGCC-wide study to be carried out to create a joint program in nuclear technology for peaceful purposes, according to international standards and arrangements," the statement said.