Kuwait poised to bridge Europe-Gulf ties during GCC presidency: EU envoy

European Union Ambassador to Kuwait, H.E. Ann Koistinen, said the coming months will offer a significant opportunity to deepen relations between the EU and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.

She emphasized that Kuwait, which holds the rotating GCC presidency this year, is well-positioned to act as a key platform for economic dialogue between Europe and the Gulf.

The EU envoy told Al-Rai daily, that Kuwait will host the 29th EU-GCC Joint Ministerial Meeting on October 6, describing it as a vital moment in advancing political and economic cooperation between the two blocs.

She further announced that this will be followed by the 9th EU-GCC Business Forum on November 5, aimed at transforming shared ambitions into practical outcomes by enhancing trade, investment, and strategic cooperation in areas of mutual interest.

Koistinen noted that EU and GCC leaders had agreed during the Brussels Summit in October 2023 to strengthen their partnership by improving the business environment, advancing green and digital transformation, and developing sustainable energy, among other strategic priorities. The upcoming events in Kuwait will build on that progress.

The EU, she stressed, is deeply committed to forging robust, mutually beneficial partnerships with all six GCC countries, including Kuwait, across multilateral, regional, and bilateral frameworks.

The November business forum will be a central platform for accelerating EU-GCC cooperation; with discussions to include market access and investment support, digital transformation and innovation; food security, infrastructure, and trade corridors; resilient supply chains, healthcare, and emerging technologies

High-level stakeholders from governments, the private sector, and the innovation ecosystem will gather to translate dialogue into action and develop concrete solutions across sectors that matter to both economies.

Koistinen highlighted Kuwait’s strategic location, rich history of trade, and strong ties with Europe through investment and tourism. She encouraged Kuwaiti entrepreneurs, startups, and investors to participate in the forum, saying it is time to “unleash the tremendous potential” of EU-GCC relations.

She reiterated the EU’s readiness to support Kuwait’s Vision 2035, particularly in fields such as artificial intelligence, infrastructure, logistics, and sustainable tourism, where EU expertise is extensive.

“The EU is Kuwait’s second-largest trading partner,” Koistinen said. “But there is much more we can do together. I look forward to seeing strong private sector engagement this November as we work to realize the full promise of our partnership.”