Brussels (The Brussels Morning Newspaper) – The President of the European Council Charles Michel will visit the Gulf region ahead of the first-ever EU-GCC Summit.
What Are the Objectives of Charles Michel’s Gulf Region Visit?
According to the EU Council Press Release, the President of the European Council Charles Michel will visit the Gulf region on 27-29 August. The President will hold talks regarding the first-ever Conference between the European Union (EU) and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) taking place on 16 October 2024 in Brussels, as well as on a broad spectrum of issues, from the situation in the Middle East to Russia’s war against Ukraine, and all pertinent aspects of bilateral cooperation.
Moreover, while visiting Doha, the President will assemble with His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of Qatar, as the current rotating President of the Gulf Cooperation Council. The President will meet in Riyadh with His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. While in Riyadh, the President will also assemble with H.E. Jasem Al Budaiwi, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council.
What Significance Does the EU-GCC Summit Hold for Future Alliances?
Going forward, the President will continue contending with the other members of the Gulf Cooperation Council as part of the preparations for the forthcoming Summit. As relations between the European Union and the Gulf Cooperation Council have increased significantly in recent years, the EU-GCC Summit will be an option for the Leaders of the EU and the Gulf Cooperation Council to ensure their joint commitment to work together in many orbs of their cooperation to further build a coalition based on sustainable prosperity and stability for both sides.
EU-GCC connections are based on a Cooperation Agreement inscribed in 1989, which establishes regular discussions on cooperation between the EU and GCC on economic ties, climate change, energy, environment, and research.
On 18 May 2022, the EU Commission and the High Representative assumed a Joint Communication on a strategic alliance with the Gulf, proposing a comprehensive and stronger cooperation between the EU and the GCC and its Member States. It was approved by EU Council Conclusions on 20 June 2022. In June 2022, the High Representative/Vice President of the European Commission designated for the first time an EU Special Representative for the Gulf (Luigi Di Maio) to further develop a more powerful, comprehensive and strategic EU cooperation with the countries in the Gulf region.
