EU, GCC Push to Strengthen Relations, Enhance Cooperation

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman led the Saudi delegation at the EU-GCC summit, underscoring Riyadh’s commitment to strengthening its international partnerships (SPA)

The first-ever EU-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) summit in Brussels on Wednesday saw wide participation from leaders on both sides.
EU Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Oman, Christophe Farnaud, told Asharq Al-Awsat that both sides agree on the need for a ceasefire in Lebanon. He also expects a strong joint stance on establishing a Palestinian state, among other key issues.
Farnaud noted ongoing security cooperation between the Gulf and Europe, with both sides working to ensure regional stability. Leaders will discuss major regional issues, including Gaza, Lebanon, Sudan, and the Red Sea, during the summit.
King Salman’s Vision, International Partnerships
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman led the Saudi delegation at the summit, underscoring Riyadh’s commitment to strengthening its international partnerships.
Observers believe this reflects the success of the “Vision of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques” in enhancing Gulf cooperation, which has effectively boosted the GCC’s strategic partnerships regionally and globally.
With rising military tensions in Gaza and the Palestinian territories, as well as ongoing developments in Lebanon, the Saudi Crown Prince’s participation is vital for coordinating efforts between Saudi Arabia, GCC countries, and their EU counterparts to strengthen regional security and stability.
Saudi Efforts Toward International Coordination
Political analyst Abdul Latif Al-Mulhim told Asharq Al-Awsat that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s participation in the EU-GCC summit in Brussels will reinforce Saudi Arabia's commitment to the Palestinian cause.
He highlighted the importance of achieving a just peace that allows the Palestinian people to establish their state within the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Al-Mulhim added that this participation reflects the Crown Prince's efforts to engage with key regional and international players to coordinate actions aimed at stopping military escalations and enhancing security and stability in the region and beyond.
Al-Mulhim highlighted that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s role in leading the Saudi delegation at the EU-GCC summit will strengthen trade and investment ties between Saudi Arabia and the European Union, which represents 14.8% of the kingdom’s total trade, making it its second-largest trading partner.
His participation will also boost cooperation with EU countries by leveraging opportunities from Saudi Vision 2030 and the European Green Deal, especially in climate change and clean energy initiatives.
The First Summit and the Gulf’s Openness to International Partnerships
Observers note that the Gulf-European summit is significant as it is the first gathering of state leaders, reflecting the GCC’s openness, especially from Saudi Arabia, to partnerships with key global blocs.
Jassim Al-Budaiwi, Secretary-General of the GCC, called the summit a “historical milestone in the strategic partnership between the council and the European Union.”
He emphasized that it highlights both sides’ commitment to strengthening relations amid increasing regional and international challenges.
Evolution of Relations
The significant improvement in Gulf-European relations since the European Commission announced a “strategic partnership with the Gulf” in 2022 has been notable.
The recent summit marked a culmination of two years of efforts to formalize this partnership, which aims to enhance political cooperation and joint action in areas such as climate change, trade, investment, digitalization, sustainable supply chains, and green transformation, while also advancing negotiations on a free trade agreement.
Al-Mulhim told Asharq Al-Awsat that the summit provides an opportunity to address current geopolitical challenges.
It will help align GCC leaders' efforts to engage with key regional and international parties to coordinate actions to stop military operations in Gaza and respond to the situation in Lebanon. He also stressed the need for a unified vision for a political solution to the Russia-Ukraine crisis.
Both the GCC and EU member states agree on the importance of supporting efforts to enhance regional and international stability and security, especially in halting Israeli military operations in Gaza and addressing human rights violations in the occupied Palestinian territories.
Last month, Saudi Arabia, alongside partners from the Arab-Islamic ministerial committee, Norway, and the EU, launched the Global Alliance for a Two-State Solution.
Al-Mulhim noted that this initiative builds on the recognition of the state of Palestine by several countries, highlighting Saudi Arabia’s global influence and recognition.
Enhancing Economic Cooperation
The EU Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Oman emphasized a shared desire to strengthen cooperation.
Leaders will discuss economic and investment issues, with trade between the two sides reaching €170 billion, excluding services. Saudi Vision 2030 and the European Green Deal offer significant opportunities for cooperation, particularly in combating climate change and promoting clean energy.
Official figures indicate that trade between Saudi Arabia and the EU reached $78.8 billion in 2023, with Saudi exports to the EU valued at $38.4 billion and imports at $40.39 billion.
GCC countries have expressed their commitment to establishing a strategic partnership with the EU, aiming for a free trade agreement and mutual facilitation of e-visas.
They also seek to explore new areas of collaboration in technology, artificial intelligence, sustainable energy, environment, water, tourism, mining, logistics, and connecting European ports with GCC ports.