Muscat, October 11, 2023, In a significant diplomatic gathering, the Foreign Ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the European Union (EU) convened in Muscat, Sultanate of Oman, on the 9th and 10th of October, 2023, marking the 27th GCC-EU Joint Council meeting. The purpose of this meeting was to strengthen and further solidify the strategic partnership between these two influential organizations.
The delegation representing the Gulf Cooperation Council was headed by Sayyid Badr Albusaidi, the Foreign Minister of the Sultanate of Oman and Chairman of the GCC Ministerial Council. On the other side, the EU delegation was led by Josep Borrell, the High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission. The meeting was attended by senior staff from both sides, including Jassem Albudaiwi, the Secretary-General of the GCC.
One of the key highlights of the 27th GCC-EU Joint Council meeting was the acknowledgment of the significant progress made in implementing the GCC-EU Strategic Partnership. This partnership was initially unveiled during the 26th meeting held in Brussels in February 2022. Its aim is to bolster the long-established collaboration dating back to the Cooperation Agreement of 1988. The importance of this partnership was underscored in the context of the mounting threats to regional and global peace, security, and stability, along with challenges to the global economy.
The meeting also welcomed the EU's Joint Communication on a Strategic Partnership with the Gulf, released in May 2022, as well as the appointment of Luigi Di Maio as the EU Special Representative for the Gulf region in June 2023. The EU and GCC ministers expressed their support for the successful execution of Di Maio's mandate, which includes deepening the GCC-EU Strategic Partnership and enhancing diplomatic efforts to ensure regional and international security and stability.
A significant part of the meeting was devoted to reviewing the implementation of the Joint Action Programme for 2022-2027. This program charts a new era of closer cooperation between the GCC and the EU across various domains, including political dialogue, regional security, counterterrorism, cybersecurity, trade and investment, energy, climate change, education, research and innovation, health, development, and humanitarian cooperation, as well as people-to-people exchanges. The Joint Council urged the expeditious execution of this program and the allocation of adequate resources for its success. Moreover, the recommendations from the 31st meeting of the GCC-EU Joint Cooperation Committee in Brussels on February 27, 2023, and the 24th meeting of the GCC-EU Political Committee in Riyadh on January 25, 2023, were endorsed by the EU and GCC ministers.
Furthermore, the Joint Council reached a consensus to establish a structured GCC-EU regional security dialogue at the senior official level. This dialogue aims to facilitate coordinated efforts on various regional and global issues, including the proliferation of nuclear, missile, and drone technologies, maritime security, cybersecurity, counterterrorism, and other security concerns.
The meeting also embraced the EU's invitation to organize a high-level forum on regional security and cooperation in Brussels in the near future, in collaboration with the GCC Secretariat and GCC member states. This forum is designed to complement the official work undertaken at GCC-EU meetings.
The Joint Council commended the conclusions of the first GCC-EU Conference on Extremist Ideology and Radicalization, held in Riyadh in June 2023, and emphasized the importance of fostering tolerance, peaceful coexistence, and respect for human rights. It recognized the detrimental effects of hate speech, racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and extremism in driving conflicts and reiterated the significance of adhering to international law and human rights.
In the realm of economics, the Joint Council endorsed the recommendations of the 12th GCC-EU Macroeconomic Dialogue, held in Brussels in November 2022. This dialogue aims to enhance economic integration and support sustainable business and investment environments.
The Joint Council also welcomed the outcomes of the 5th Trade and Investment Dialogue held in Riyadh in March 2023, highlighting the interest in a privileged EU-GCC trade and investment relationship to promote business cooperation and enhance market access conditions.
The Joint Council called for coordinated global efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030, emphasizing the EU's Global Gateway strategy and exploring potential avenues for cooperation in this regard.
Another critical aspect of the discussion was cooperation in scientific research and innovation. The Joint Council recognized the potential for innovative solutions and job creation through such collaboration. The GCC countries were encouraged to participate more actively in the EU R&I Framework Programme Horizon Europe and Mission Innovation, especially in the context of combating climate change. Cooperation in the realm of space systems, artificial intelligence, and the governance of artificial intelligence was also acknowledged as promising areas of partnership.
Humanitarian aid was a key concern, and the Joint Council discussed the need for coordinated efforts to address humanitarian needs worldwide. The importance of humanitarian access and respect for International Humanitarian Law, particularly in the context of conflicts and climate change, was stressed. The efforts to support the repatriation of individuals affected by conflicts were also highlighted.
The Joint Council recognized the pressing need to address climate change and promote environmental protection, renewable energies, and energy efficiency. They underlined the importance of upholding the principles of climate agreements and expressed support for initiatives such as the Saudi Arabia-led Green Middle East Initiative and other global efforts to combat climate change.
The Ukraine conflict and the situation in Israel and Gaza were sources of concern for the Joint Council. They reiterated their support for international law, humanitarian principles, and the importance of finding political solutions to these crises.
The Middle East peace process was also on the agenda, with the Joint Council calling for a halt to violence and the support of peace initiatives in the region. They reiterated their commitment to a two-state solution based on UN resolutions, the Arab Peace Initiative, and the status quo of holy sites in Jerusalem.
The ministers acknowledged the diplomatic efforts by Saudi Arabia and other GCC states to engage with Iran for regional de-escalation and emphasized the importance of adherence to international law and maritime security. They also supported the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and called on Iran to fulfill its nuclear commitments.
The humanitarian situation in Yemen was of deep concern, with the ministers stressing the importance of a ceasefire and the safe return of refugees and displaced persons. The support for a political solution under the auspices of the UN was reiterated, along with the need to address the humanitarian, economic, and development needs in Yemen.
The ministers reaffirmed their commitment to a political solution for the Syrian crisis, emphasizing the importance of UNSCR 2254. They called for a nationwide ceasefire and secure conditions for the return of refugees and displaced persons, along with unhindered humanitarian access.
In June 2023, the Seventh Conference on "Supporting the Future of Syria and the Region" was held, during which significant financial pledges were made to address the humanitarian crisis in Syria and its neighboring countries.
The humanitarian situation in the Horn of Africa was also a subject of grave concern, with the ministers emphasizing the need for sustainable solutions and support for reconciliation and peace.
The Joint Council expressed concern about the conflict in Sudan and called for efforts to restore the country's unity, sovereignty, and stability. Diplomatic efforts and peace initiatives were acknowledged as vital in this context.
In conclusion, the ministers underscored their mutual interest in elevating the EU-GCC partnership to a more strategic level and expressed their intent to organize the first-ever Summit in the near future.
They also agreed to hold their 28th Joint Council and Ministerial Meeting in the EU in 2024.
