The inaugural European Union-Gulf Cooperation Council (EU-GCC) Summit took place in the Belgian capital of Brussels on October 16, under the theme “Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity”. It provided a platform to develop closer partnerships.
Charles Michel, President of the European Council, and HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad, Emir of Qatar, co-chaired the Summit. The joint statement highlights that the participants agree to build their strategic partnership based on mutual respect and trust.
EU and GCC leaders noted the need to tackle global challenges together. They agreed to put in joint efforts to promote global and regional security and prosperity, including preventing the emergence and escalation of conflicts and resolving crises through dialogue.
Economic cooperation and climate action
The EU is the second-largest trade partner for the Gulf countries, generating €170 billion in trade last year. During the inaugural Summit, leaders committed to a strategic trade and investment partnership, reconfirming their mutual interest to have a thriving relationship.
The EU and GCC countries also stressed the need to intensify their energy cooperation and to scale up urgent action to address the challenges posed by climate change, ocean and land degradation, biodiversity loss, desertification and pollution.
The participants are expecting successful outcomes at the upcoming COP29 Summit in Baku. The previous COP28 Summit in Dubai resulted in a number of stunning successes, such as the operationalisation of the Loss and Damage Fund and the UAE Consensus.
UAE delegation at first EU-GCC Summit
His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed, First Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, led the UAE delegation at the inaugural Summit held on October 16 in Brussels.
He said the event offered a unique opportunity for constructive dialogue to advance mutual development, adding the UAE’s participation in the Summit reflects its belief in the importance of international cooperation and its role in driving sustainable development.
The Summit supports the aspirations of GCC countries and their commitment to fostering global dialogue and cooperation, noted His Highness, emphasising that “this approach has long been a cornerstone of the UAE’s strategy.”
Sheikh Maktoum hailed initiatives to boost trade, tourism and cultural exchange ith the EU. He also praised the bloc’s notable role in addressing regional and global challenges, stressing the need for joint efforts to ensure stability in the Middle East.
UAE a key strategic partner of EU in the Middle East
Sheikh Maktoum hailed initiatives to boost trade, tourism and cultural exchange ith the EU. He also praised the bloc’s notable role in addressing regional and global challenges, stressing the need for joint efforts to ensure stability in the Middle East.
The UAE is a key strategic partner of the EU in the Middle East. Both parties have been constantly trying to foster sustainable development and enhance regional stability. They share strong ties in trade, artificial intelligence, green transformation and tourism.
The official UAE delegation accompanying His Highness included Reem al-Hashimy, minister of state for international cooperation, Dr Thani al-Zeyoudi, minister of state for foreign trade, and Lana Nusseibeh, assistant minister for political affairs.
Key conclusions from first EU-GCC Summit
1. Increasing trade and investment
During the Summit, both parties committed to advancing EU-GCC Trade and Investment Dialogue and further enhance joint investments to enable cooperation on trade, facilitating regulatory cooperation and harmonisation of standards.
“The future of our economies depends on their ability to become more circular, cleaner, more resilient against disruptions in supply chains and more diverse in value producing sectors,” according to the joint statement.
2. Boosting connectivity
The EU and GCC countries agreed on the need to explore cooperation in telecommunication, digital economy, innovation and space, in an effort to encourage improved initiatives and create a better future for their citizens.
The participants also recognised the importance of enhancing people-to-people contacts by prioritising safe visa-free travel arrangement. During the inaugural Summit, they also confirmed their determination to ensuring global stability and peace.
3. Stepping up engagement on key global issues
In light of the serious escalation and ongoing conflict in Europe and the Middle East, the EU and GCC countries confirmed their strategic engagement to putting efforts into enhancing security and de-escalation for the benefit of both regions.
– Ukraine
The joint statement hailed mediation efforts by the GCC countries on humanitarian issues, such as exchange of prisoners and hosting of national security advisors meeting. To date, the UAE has facilitated multiple Russia-Ukraine prisoner exchanges.
– Israel, Gaza
The EU and GCC expressed serious concerns over developments in Israel and Gaza. They called on all parties to pay attention to their obligations under international regulations. Both regions condemned attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure.
– Lebanon
In the joint statement, the EU and GCC participants raised alarm over the dangerous escalation in Lebanon, affirming their support for the Lebanese people and calling for an immediate ceasefire. They called for intensified efforts to provide humanitarian aid to Lebanon.
– Sudan
Both participants noted their concerns over the devastating conflict and humanitarian catastrophe in Sudan, including the imminent risk of famine. They emphasised the need to return to a political process leading to civilian rule.
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