On October 16, 2024, Brussels, the capital of Belgium, hosted the first summit between the European Union and its six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) partners. This summit witnessed a high-level presence from the six Gulf states, along with the GCC Secretary-General. The general theme of the final statement was “the commitment of both blocs to building a strategic partnership based on mutual respect and trust.” The timing of this summit is significant, not only in its content but also because it coincides with unprecedented global and regional changes affecting the priorities and partnerships of both sides.

The relationship between the EU and the Gulf states goes back decades, beginning with the signing of a cooperation agreement in 1988, which aimed, among other things, at establishing a free trade agreement between the two sides. However, this has not yet materialized, as negotiations were suspended for more than a decade before resuming again. Despite the EU being geographically closer to the Gulf than other international partners and conducting negotiations collectively with the GCC states, the partnership hasn’t progressed as swiftly as other international partnerships. This delay likely prompted the EU to adopt a comprehensive strategy, as reflected in its Gulf partnership strategy launched in May 2022, culminating in this first summit. However, achieving the full dimensions of the strategic partnership may take time, considering three main factors:

1. The EU has two approaches that affect the partnership: the EU as a regional organization and bilateral relations between individual European countries and Gulf states.
2. While partnerships are important, they do not exist in a vacuum, as the EU is not the only international partner in the Gulf. Global competition in the region is intensifying, with economic factors driving political decisions.
3. The unique political and social nature of Gulf countries results in differing perspectives on certain issues.

Given these factors, the summit raises the question: what’s next? While both sides seem committed to developing this partnership further, as evidenced by Saudi Arabia’s announcement to host the next summit in 2026 and Kuwait’s hosting of a ministerial meeting in 2025, there are challenges to address. For instance, the EU must work to regain its position as the Gulf’s top trading partner, a role now held by China since 2020. Additionally, the EU’s role in regional tensions and security remains vital. For example, the EU allocated 125 million euros in May 2024 to address humanitarian needs in Yemen, complementing Gulf efforts, particularly those led by Saudi Arabia’s King Salman Humanitarian Aid Center.

The EU also played a significant role in indirect negotiations between Iran and the U.S. on the nuclear issue. The critical question remains how the EU can contribute to Gulf security. While European countries have supported U.S.-led military coalitions in the past to counter threats to Gulf security, the current regional changes demand more international efforts to defuse tensions. Although Europe has responded to maritime security threats three times—off Somalia, in the Strait of Hormuz, and in the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb—these actions have been largely symbolic.

Beyond security, societal partnerships between the EU and the Gulf are essential for deepening mutual understanding. In this context, the demand for visa-free travel to the EU for Gulf citizens is a pressing issue, especially as other major countries have already implemented similar measures.

The Gulf states are open to using economic avenues to develop their partnerships with the EU. Still, the EU must also recognize Gulf security priorities, including the region’s pursuit of military technology, as this technology influences conventional arms efforts in the Gulf. The EU’s expertise in this area is crucial, but it needs to balance its policies with the security concerns of the Gulf.

Note: This article has been automatically translated.

Source: Akhbar Al Khaleej