BRUSSELS (The Thursday Times) — On 16 October 2024, leaders of the European Union (EU) and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) convened for their first official summit in Brussels, marking a historic step towards deepening ties between two critical global regions. Co-chaired by European Council President Charles Michel and Qatar’s Emir, H.H. Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the summit’s theme, “Strategic partnership for peace and prosperity,” underscored the importance of collaboration in an era of geopolitical tension and economic transformation.
The summit brought together the leaders of the six GCC member states—United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, and Kuwait—to discuss a broad spectrum of issues, from trade and energy to climate change and regional security. With the EU being the GCC’s second-largest trading partner, the discussions emphasised strengthening economic and diplomatic ties while promoting stability and sustainable development.
Enhancing trade and economic cooperation
At the heart of the EU-GCC relationship is a robust trade partnership, with the EU generating significant bilateral trade with Gulf nations in 2023 alone. Both sides reiterated their shared commitment to a strategic trade and investment partnership aimed at boosting mutual economic growth. Recognising the potential of the green and digital transitions, leaders committed to exploring avenues for deeper economic collaboration, with an eye on developing sustainable energy systems, enhancing global connectivity, and fostering innovation.
The prospect of an EU-GCC free trade agreement (FTA) was a key topic of discussion, with leaders expressing optimism about reaching such a deal. In addition, they agreed to explore tailored trade and investment agreements to advance resilient, sustainable, and globally integrated value chains. Leaders emphasised the need to secure resilient energy supply chains, particularly in clean technologies, critical minerals, and raw materials, to support the green transition. This enhanced economic partnership aligns with broader efforts to diversify the GCC economies and reduce their dependence on fossil fuels, which has been a core element of the region’s long-term development strategies, such as Saudi Vision 2030 and UAE Vision 2050.
Energy collaboration, climate change commitments
Energy security and climate change were pivotal themes at the summit, with both the EU and the GCC recognising the urgent need for cooperation in these areas. As global energy demand rises and the consequences of climate change become more severe, the EU and GCC leaders pledged to intensify their energy cooperation. This includes efforts to explore renewable energy sources, increase energy efficiency, and ensure energy security through diversified supply chains.
As the world prepares for the upcoming COP29 climate summit, both regions stressed the importance of taking collective action to address the escalating climate crisis. Leaders reaffirmed their commitments to the Paris Agreement and agreed to scale up climate action, particularly regarding climate finance for developing countries. In addition to addressing climate change, leaders also focused on related environmental challenges, including biodiversity loss, desertification, ocean degradation, drought, and pollution. These discussions reflect a shared understanding that climate action is not only essential for global stability but also for ensuring long-term economic sustainability.
Advancing a digital transformation
The summit underscored the growing importance of digital innovation and connectivity in fostering sustainable economic growth. With the global economy increasingly driven by technology, both the EU and GCC leaders agreed on the need to enhance cooperation in the areas of telecommunications, advanced technologies, and the digital economy. The expansion of 5G networks, the development of artificial intelligence, and the exploration of space were highlighted as critical areas for joint collaboration.
In addition to digital technology, the leaders discussed sustainable transport and climate-resilient infrastructure. Cooperation on energy grids and hydrogen transportation were identified as key components of future energy and transport systems, which will be crucial in the shift towards greener, more sustainable economies. This focus on digital and infrastructure advancements aligns with broader efforts in both regions to diversify their economies and build resilience in the face of global challenges.
Building stronger people-to-people connections
Recognising the importance of people-to-people ties in strengthening long-term cooperation, the summit placed a strong emphasis on fostering greater cultural, educational, and social connections between the EU and GCC regions. Both sides committed to working towards a visa-free travel arrangement, which would significantly enhance tourism, business, and academic exchanges between the two regions. Leaders also highlighted the need for practical and constructive steps towards facilitating greater mobility, particularly for students, researchers, and academics.
The GCC is expected to increase its involvement in the Erasmus+ programme, which would allow more students and academics from the region to study and conduct research in Europe. In addition, discussions focused on expanding cooperation in non-higher education, youth, sport, culture, and the creative industries. By building bridges between the people of both regions, the EU and GCC hope to create stronger cultural and social ties that will support their broader strategic partnership.
Addressing regional conflicts and security challenges
Given the increasing instability in the Middle East and Europe, the summit served as a critical platform for addressing ongoing regional conflicts and security challenges. The leaders expressed their shared commitment to promoting peace, security, and stability in both regions. They reaffirmed the importance of multilateralism and dialogue in preventing the escalation of conflicts and resolving crises.
The war in Ukraine was a central focus of the discussions, with both EU and GCC leaders reiterating their respect for international law and the sovereignty of states. They condemned Russia’s aggression and called for a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace in Ukraine, in line with the principles of the UN Charter. Leaders also emphasised the need to ensure the continued export of grains and other humanitarian supplies to regions affected by the war, highlighting the critical role of food security in global stability.
In addition to Ukraine, the conflict in Israel, Gaza, and the West Bank took centre stage. The summit called for an immediate ceasefire and stressed the need for humanitarian access to civilians in Gaza. Both regions expressed their support for the Global Alliance for the two-state solution, announced by Saudi Arabia, the EU, and Norway, reaffirming their commitment to achieving a peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Diplomacy and de-escalation with Iran
Another key topic was Iran’s role in the region. Both the EU and GCC leaders emphasised the importance of diplomatic engagement with Iran to ensure regional stability. They stressed the need for Iran to maintain the peaceful nature of its nuclear programme and to cease activities related to ballistic missile proliferation and unmanned aerial vehicles. These actions, they warned, could threaten the security of both regions and undermine international peace and security. The focus on Iran reflects a shared interest in preventing further destabilisation in the region and promoting a diplomatic path forward.
Maritime security in the red sea
The Red Sea’s strategic importance was also a key focus during the summit. Both the EU and GCC reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring the freedom of navigation and maritime security in this vital region. As a critical global trade route, securing the Red Sea from piracy, terrorism, and other threats is essential for maintaining the flow of goods and ensuring global stability.
A future-driven partnership
Since the signing of the 1989 cooperation agreement, EU-GCC relations have evolved into a multi-faceted partnership, grounded in shared interests across economic, environmental, and security dimensions. This first EU-GCC summit marks a major milestone in building a deeper, more strategic relationship between the two regions. Both sides agreed to meet every two years, with the next summit scheduled for 2026 in Saudi Arabia, signalling a long-term commitment to strengthening this partnership in the face of global challenges.
