EU and Gulf Cooperation Council Unite for Peace and Prosperity

The first summit between leaders of the European Union and the Gulf Cooperation Council took place in Brussels it is focusing on the theme “Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity.” The summit was co-chaired by European Council President Charles Michel and Qatar’s Emir, H.H. Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.

President Michel commented during the meeting, “We share a common goal—to promote growth and generate more prosperity for our citizens.” Ursula von der Leyen the EU Commission President supported this message highlighting the need for intensified diplomatic efforts to prevent further escalation of conflicts.

What can be the Key Outcomes of this summit?

The EU is a major trading partner for the GCC. In the meeting the leaders of the nations tried for a free trade agreement. Apart from these the attempts to secure visa waivers for GCC citizens traveling to the Schengen Area did not produce immediate results.

1. EU and GCC leaders agreed to strengthen their partnership based on mutual respect and trust, aiming to improve security and prosperity for both regions.

According to the joint statement leaders said, “We agree to build our strategic partnership, based on mutual respect and trust, for the benefit of the people of our regions and beyond.”

2. The EU is the second-largest trading partner for the GCC. According to the records it is generating €170 billion in trade in 2023. Leaders confirmed their commitment to a strategic trade partnership and discussed a potential EU-GCC free trade agreement.

3. Both sides committed to boosting energy cooperation, focusing on energy security and renewable energy projects. They also stressed the need for urgent action on climate change and other environmental issues.

4. The summit emphasized the importance of working together in areas like telecommunications, advanced technologies, and the digital economy, as well as sustainable transport and infrastructure.

5. Leaders agreed to improve connections through a visa-free travel arrangement and more academic exchanges, including participation in programs like Erasmus+.

The current ongoing geopolitical tensions were also the point of discussion in the summit. The war in Ukraine and violence in the Middle East were the topic of discussion. EU and GCC leaders called for an immediate ceasefire in Israel, Gaza, and the West Bank. They were supporting the exchange of prisoners and demanded the need of aids to save human lives. They also expressed concerns over the situation in Lebanon and urged for a plan to bring stability in the region.

In the meeting all the leaders agreed on the plan to meet in every two years. With this agreement the next summit is scheduled for Saudi Arabia in year of 2026. This inaugural meeting of Oct 2024 marks a important step in strengthening relations between the two regions. It is concluded with the joint statement from Brussels.