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EU, GCC Summit in Brussels to Develop a Closer Cooperation, Forge Connectivity
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The summit will be co-chaired by the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, and the Emir of Qatar, H.H. Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, as the rotating President of the GCC.
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Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman will lead the Saudi delegation
By: Muhammad Arif, Editor NSN.Asia
Brussels: The first summit between the leaders of European Union-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), EU-GCC Summit, will commence in Brussels, Belgium, on Wednesday, Oct. 16,2024 to develop a closer cooperation partnerships, and forge stronger connectivity of markets and people under the Silk Road Spirit of mutual respect.
The summit will be co-chaired by the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, and the Emir of Qatar, H.H. Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, as the rotating President of the GCC.
Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman will lead the Saudi delegation attending the Summit of the European Union-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), in Brussels, Belgium, on Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024.
The summit is an opportunity for the EU to develop a closer partnership with the GCC and its member states (the United Arab Emirates, the Kingdom of Bahrain, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Sultanate of Oman, the State of Qatar and the State of Kuwait), who are geostrategic partners at a time of challenging geopolitical circumstances.
The main topics for discussion are how to further cooperation on:
- common key global challenges
- economic cooperation, including trade and investment
- energy
- sustainability and climate
- connectivity
- people-to-people contacts
- EU-GCC relations
EU-GCC relations are based on a cooperation agreement signed in 1989, which establishes regular dialogue on cooperation between the EU and GCC on economic relations, climate change, energy, the environment and research.
The cooperation agreement also established an EU-GCC Joint Council at foreign minister level, which meets regularly. During the Joint Council held in Brussels in February 2022, EU and GCC foreign ministers endorsed a Joint cooperation programme for the 2022-2027, which was updated in October 2023.
The programme outlines specific joint activities and deepened cooperation across numerous sectors:
- trade and investment
- climate change
- green transition
- people-to-people initiatives
- counter-terrorism
In May 2022, the European Commission and the High Representative issued a joint communication on a “Strategic partnership with the Gulf”, which was endorsed by the Council in June 2022. This communication sets out an operational roadmap for the EU to develop closer ties with the GCC member states.
In June 2022, Luigi Di Maio was appointed as the first-ever EU Special Representative for the Gulf. He is responsible for further developing a stronger, comprehensive and more strategic EU partnership with the countries in the Gulf region.
Trade Cooperation
The European Union is the second-largest trade partner for the GCC countries, generating €170 bn in trade in 2023
In 2023, imports of mineral fuels accounted for over 75% of EU imports from GCC countries.
Since 2020, fuel imports have more than tripled – due to a sharp shift in the EU’s supply sources, caused by Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.
Programme
14:00 Arrivals
15:00 Official welcome
15:15 Family photo
15:30 Opening ceremony
16:00 Leaders’ political session: EU-GCC partnerships
17:30 Leaders’ working dinner: geopolitical challenges
(ttbc) Press conference
Cooperation between Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the EU
Dialogue and Cooperation has been intensifying over the years and is based on mutual interest to foster relations in all political domains.
The Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC) is a regional organisation comprising of six members: The Kingdom of Bahrain, the State of Kuwait, the Sultanate of Oman, the State of Qatar, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Set up in 1981, its objectives are to enhance coordination, integration and inter-connection among its members.
EU-GCC relations are based on a Cooperation Agreement signed in 1989, which establishes regular dialogue on cooperation between the EU and GCC on economic relations, climate change, energy, environment, and research.
On 18 May 2022, the Commission and the High Representative adopted a Joint Communication on a strategic partnership with the Gulf, proposing a comprehensive and stronger partnership between the EU and the GCC and its Member States. It was endorsed by Council Conclusions on 20 June 2022. In June 2022, the High Representative/Vice President of the European Commission has appointed for the first time ever an EU Special Representative for the Gulf (Luigi Di Maio) to further develop a stronger, comprehensive and more strategic EU partnership with the countries in the Gulf region.
