Kuwait city: The foreign ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the European Union (EU) recently convened for their 29th Joint Council and Ministerial Meeting in Kuwait. The meeting, co-chaired by Abdullah Al-Yahya, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kuwait and chairman of the current session of the GCC Ministerial Council, and Kaja Kallas, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, brought together senior officials from both sides.
According to Saudi Press Agency, the joint council issued a statement expressing satisfaction with the progress achieved under the GCC-EU strategic partnership, which was initially established by the 1988 Cooperation Agreement. The council emphasized the importance of this partnership in addressing significant threats to peace, security, and stability on both regional and international fronts, while also tackling current global economic challenges.
The joint council praised the successful outcomes of the first GCC-EU Summit held in Brussels in October 2024 and expressed anticipation for the next summit scheduled to take place in Saudi Arabia in 2026. The council also highlighted the importance of supporting multilateralism and sustainable development as key objectives of the strategic partnership.
Additionally, the joint council acknowledged the positive outcomes of various high-level forums and dialogues, including those focused on regional security and cooperation, counter-terrorism, maritime security, and cybersecurity. The council underscored the significance of ongoing cooperation in these areas to enhance peace and security.
In terms of economic collaboration, the joint council recognized the need to enhance cross-regional trade and investment relationships in response to the evolving global trade environment. The potential resumption of regional Free Trade Agreement negotiations was noted, and the council agreed to expedite progress on mutual interests.
The joint council also reaffirmed commitments to address pressing global issues such as climate change, humanitarian assistance, and the Middle East peace process, highlighting the importance of joint efforts and coordination between the GCC and EU to achieve meaningful solutions.
The meeting concluded with a commitment to continue strengthening the partnership between the GCC and EU, with the next joint ministerial council meeting slated for Brussels.