EU and GCC leaders to meet in Brussels for first summit

Brussels (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – State leaders, the EU, and the Gulf Cooperation Council will assemble in Brussels to examine and further the region-to-region partnership.

The first meeting between the leaders of the EU and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries will take place in Brussels on 16 October 2024. The schedule for the inaugural European Union-Gulf Cooperation Council Summit in Brussels will prioritise dialogues on regional security, trade, and investment, emphasising the importance of cooperation between the European body and GCC member states.

What are the main goals of the EU-GCC summit?

Co-chaired by Charles Michel, Head of the European Council, and Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Amir of Qatar as current rotating president of the GCC, the event on Wednesday will concentrate on enhancing collaboration between the two regions.

The event aims to build on the EU’s 2022 Joint Communication on a Strategic Partnership with the Gulf, as well as prior assemblages such as the EU-GCC Joint Council in Muscat in October 2023 and the EU-GCC High-Level Forum on Regional Security and Cooperation in Luxembourg earlier in April.

Dialogues will also cover areas like climate and energy, connectivity, and transport, with participation from heads of state from GCC member countries, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and Vice President Josep Borrell.

How will regional security be addressed at the summit?

The primary emphasis will be on addressing the continuing Israeli actions in Palestine and Lebanon, according to the EU Delegation. “The EU backs the current diplomatic efforts for a cease-fire, with the top role of Qatar,” the statement read. “Together with Saudi Arabia and other partners, we have undertaken a global alliance to advance the Two-State solution.”

The meeting will involve strategic coordination on pressing regional security issues, including de-escalation actions in the Middle East, regional nuclear non-proliferation, Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, and brutality in the Horn of Africa. Additionally, human rights talks will be a key focus, with a focus on deepening the EU-GCC Human Rights Dialogues based 

on mutual respect to improve people-to-people relations. “The EU can support inter-regional ties and bilateral collaboration in education, vocational training, women empowerment, skills development, and civic participation,” the statement added.