The European Union launches negotiations for strategic partnerships with the Gulf states

2 weeks ago

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Brussels, July 19 / WAM / The European Council granted, on Friday, to delegate bilateral negotiations with the countries of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf with the aim of concluding comprehensive strategic partnership agreements.

The European Council’s decision, which was welcomed by the European Commission and the High Representative for Foreign Affairs, aims to establish a framework of “ambition, modern and effective” cooperation that enhances relations in a wide range of sectors, including foreign policy, security, trade and investment, energy and climate, digital transformation, education, and culture.

Luigi de Mayo, the European Special Envoy, described the decision as a “historic day to move to a higher level of ambition”, while the European Supreme Actress for Foreign Affairs, Kaya Callas, confirmed the existence of huge, unforgivable capabilities in the relationship of the European Union with the region, and said that the new agreements will achieve mutual benefits in facing common security challenges and diversifying the economy.

The Commissioner of Trade and Economic Security, Marush Shevchaovic, explained that these partnerships will provide a large boost for commercial and investment relations and create new opportunities for companies.

Dubrafka Shoisha, the Commissioner for the Mediterranean, described the partnership with the Gulf Cooperation Council countries as being based on mutual respect and common goals, stressing that strategic partnership agreements will allow the promotion of cooperation at the regional level of peace building and the promotion of stability and prosperity in the Middle East.

These negotiations come to complement the existing cooperation frameworks, and it is scheduled to start as soon as possible, according to the European Commission, which indicated that this process is in line with the “strategic partnership with the Gulf” announced in 2022, and the results of the European Union summit and the Gulf Cooperation Council countries held in October 2024.