EU High Representative to QNA: EU-GCC Leaders’ Summit Underscores Shared Commitment to Developing Strategic Partnership

The first-ever EU-GCC Summit due on Wednesday in Brussels underscores both parties' shared commitment to developing a strategic partnership that reinforce EU-GCC collaboration to meet growing regional and global needs, said HE High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell. Speaking to Qatar News Agency , His Excellency said the summit will address pressing global issues, especially the dangerous escalation in the Middle East, climate change, sustainable development, humanitarian aid, and enhancing cooperation to meet growing regional and global needs. He stressed that the EU and the GCC will continue to work together to enhance global security, prevent conflicts, and resolve crises. He also pointed out that the summit aims to deepen cooperation between the two sides in the fields of trade, green and digital transformations, sustainable energy, education, and innovation, stressing the importance of enhancing investments linking Asia with the Middle East and Europe, and affirming that people-to-people contacts will remain at the heart of this partnership. Speaking about political and security cooperation, he stressed that the ongoing crises in the Middle East, the Red Sea, and Africa demonstrate the urgent need for joint action to achieve stability. "The security of the EU and the Gulf region is deeply interconnected, with the Gulf playing an increasingly pivotal role. It is crucial to strengthen cooperation on key security matters, including counterterrorism, maritime security, non-proliferation, and the mitigation of cyber and hybrid threats. He highlighted the strategic coordination on geopolitical crises such as de-escalation efforts in the Middle East, the search for a political solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Russia's ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine, and addressing security and instability in the Horn of Africa. He added that "the EU and the GCC have been actively engaging both bilaterally and in multilateral fora to advance thes e objectives". He highlighted that the launch of the EU-GCC Structured Security Dialogue in January 2024 marked a significant step towards deepening this collaboration, saying, "we look forward to further building on this momentum at the next EU-GCC High-Level Forum on Regional Security and Cooperation in 2025". In the context of economic relations, he stressed the EU's commitment to strengthening cooperation with the GCC countries in the fields of energy, technology, and investment, noting that both sides constitute 20 percent of the global economy and represent more than half of the world's foreign direct investment, which reflects the strength of this partnership. He added that there is significant untapped potential to strengthen this relationship by enhancing the business and investment environment. He said, "our strategic focus is on supporting the green and digital transitions, ensuring our economies are more circular, sustainable and resilient to supply chain disruptions. "Cooperation in areas su ch as renewable energy, digital technologies, and improved connectivity will help drive economic integration and diversification in both the EU and GCC. This is not just about growth, but also about aligning our economic development with long-term sustainability goals. "To achieve this, we are working to strengthen the existing EU-GCC Trade and Investment Dialogue. Our goal is to enhance market access conditions and support investment-friendly policies across sectors. "The upcoming EU-GCC Business Forum in Qatar next month will provide another valuable opportunity to explore these topics in greater detail and engage in constructive dialogue at a technical level". Regarding the State of Qatar's efforts in regional and international mediation to resolve conflicts, Borrell praised Doha's efforts to enhance stability, especially in the context of its efforts to stop the ongoing war on the Gaza Strip, stressing that the State of Qatar is a key partner of the EU in dealing with geopolitical crises, and that the EU is committed to cooperating with Qatar to prevent escalation and enhance diplomacy. He said: "Qatar plays an important role in regional mediation, with its contributions to stability and security widely recognized. Its consistent efforts in navigating complex geopolitical crises have positioned it as a key partner for the EU". "The EU and Qatar already share a strong partnership based on common goals of fostering peace and security. Both are committed to deepening cooperation in areas such as crisis management, conflict prevention, and mediation. "Qatars pivotal role in addressing the Israel-Palestine crisis further highlights its credibility as a trusted mediator in sensitive situations." He added that Qatar enhances diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the regional situation and find peaceful solutions to conflicts. Concluding his remarks to QNA, His Excellency pointed out that the GCC plays a key role in promoting sustainable development, especially in facing global challenges such as climate change, s tressing that the partnership between the EU and the GCC will continue to drive the green transformation, decarbonization, and enhance sustainable competitiveness at the global level. Source: Qatar News Agency