Kuwait to play a pivotal role in the EU-GCC Summit

The Times Kuwait Report

The EU Ambassador to Kuwait, H E Anne Koestinen specifically highlighted:

• They are committed to developing a strategic partnership with the Gulf countries for many years to come.
• They aim to hold the second edition of the EU-GCC High-Level Forum on Security and Regional Cooperation in 2025.
• The European Union highly appreciates Kuwait’s sincere voice, which reflects moderation and supports multilateralism and the Charter of the United Nations.
• The upcoming summit in two years in one of the GCC countries, but no country has been identified as yet.
• They condemn the attack on UNIFIL, it has dangerously crossed a new red line in Lebanon.

The EU Ambassador to Kuwait, H E Anne Koestinen, stressed the importance of the first summit of the leaders of the European Union and the Gulf Cooperation Council, which will be held on Wednesday in Brussels.

The Ambassador pointing out that this historic summit reflects their joint efforts to raise the level of relations between the European Union and the Gulf Cooperation Council to a strategic level. The summit also shows the sincere desire of the European Union to enhance its partnership with Kuwait and all the GCC countries.

Ambassador Koestinen during a press conference with representatives of the local media at the mission’s headquarters added that over the past four decades, there has been strong and long-term cooperation between the EU and Kuwait in all sectors of Kuwaiti society. The European Union looks forward to building on the momentum of the summit and the next Kuwaiti presidency of the GCC in order to take their relations to newer heights.

She stated that the leaders of the European Union and the Gulf Cooperation Council will discuss strengthening cooperation in the field of maritime security, combating terrorism, non-proliferation, cyber and hybrid threats, as well as responding to disasters, and the prevalence of recent developments in the Red Sea.

Moreover, the EU has primarily agreed to continue working closely with the GCC countries in order to address security challenges and ensure freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and other places. In order to build on the successful launch of the EU-GCC Structured Security Dialogue in January 2024, they aim to hold the second edition of the EU-GCC High-Level Forum on Security and Regional Cooperation in 2025.

The EU Ambassador emphasized that Kuwait is an important partner of the European Union and this was reflected in the visit of European Council President, Charles Michel to Kuwait in September 2024, in order to prepare for the first summit between the European Union and the Gulf Cooperation Council.

She stressed further that the summit was a good platform to expand the strong partnership between the European Union and Kuwait and raise it to the strategic level.

Ambassador Koestinen also added that this first-of-its-kind summit between the European Union and the Gulf Cooperation Council sent a strong message to their citizens and the world and shows their commitment to developing a strategic partnership for many years to come.

One a significant note she mentioned that there was a deep connection with regard to security in our two regions. Therefore, strategic coordination on key regional security profiles such as de-escalation in the Middle East, regional nuclear non-proliferation, Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and violence in the Horn of Africa would be an important discussion point at the summit.

Importantly, the European Union remained committed to reaching out to regional actors to advocate for diplomacy, dialogue, restraint and to prevent further military escalation. The European Union highly appreciates Kuwait’s sincere voice, which reflects moderation and support for multilateralism and the Charter of the United Nations.

The spread of war from Gaza to Lebanon

Regarding the extension of the war from Gaza to Lebanon, Ambassador Koestinen said that this is the first summit of its kind that the leaders of the European Union and the member states of the Union gather with the leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, which means that it is held at the highest level and they will try to reach a common language for regional stability, de-escalation in the region and achieve peace.

She noted that the timing of the summit was very appropriate because of the critical situation, and also the leaders will speak and send positive messages that there is a common language and a common understanding on this subject.

Koestinen further added that these type of summits between the Gulf countries and the European Union will continue, and the next summit will be in two years in one of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, but no country has been identified as yet.

On humanitarian grounds, The EU has stepped up its humanitarian assistance to Lebanon, raising around 104 million Euros this year. This new emergency assistance package will provide urgent food assistance, shelter, health care and other essential support. The European Commission is also working to provide material assistance to Beirut through the European Union’s Civil Protection Mechanism.

A worrying situation

The EU Ambassador further stated that the situation in the region is very worrying because of the continuation of the conflict and there is no improvement, but the European Union calls for peace and unity, supports multilateralism, the rule of law and international humanitarian law and supports diplomacy and initiatives such as the International Alliance for a two-State Solution, an initiative that brought together multiple countries to find a two-state solution on the Palestinian issue.

Regarding targeting of the United Nations Interim Peacekeeping Force (UNIFIL) in southern Lebanon, she said, they supported what the High Representative for Foreign Affairs of the European Union, H.E. Josep Borrell said in his statement on October 10 about the attack on UNIFIL, that a new red line was dangerously crossed in Lebanon after the Israeli army carried out this bombing, and also stressed that the Union condemns this unjustified act, and the European Union supports UNIFIL and its mission and its forces in implementing UN Security Council resolutions.

A successful year in a beautiful country, Kuwait

More than a year after taking office as Ambassador of the European Union, Ambassador Koestinen said, it was time to reflect on this year that has been full of success and progress in cooperation between the European Union and Kuwait.

She added further that in September 2023, the European Union adopted highly preferential Schengen visa rules for Kuwaiti citizens, who can now obtain multiple entry visas for 5 years when applying for the first time. The European Union recognises that Kuwait and other GCC countries want to travel without a visa to the Schengen area. “I am committed to following developments closely as European institutions have to make decisions on this matter,” she pointed out

Koestinen also stated that since the opening of the European Union Mission in Kuwait five years ago, the mission has actively worked to encourage people-to-people communication and cultural exchange initiatives in order to bring our peoples closer together. For example, last September they sent a select group of students and academics from Kuwait University on a study visit to Brussels, and earlier this month, they partnered with Kuwaiti and European institutions, the private sector, civil society and students to organise an important event on green skills as a key driver of a just green transformation.

On a concluding note, The EU Ambassador to Kuwait, Anne Koestinen stated that Kuwait, like other Gulf Cooperation Council countries, is considered a major player in energy markets. The European Union believes that there are many opportunities to cooperate with Kuwait in the areas of investment in renewable energy and green hydrogen, where together they can play a key role in global de-carbonisation efforts. The European Union stands ready to support Kuwait in implementing Kuwait Vision 2035, and promoting economic diversification and sustainable competitiveness in addition to de-carbonisation.