GCC–EU ministerial meeting in Kuwait reaffirms strategic partnership
The 29th Joint Ministerial Meeting between the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the European Union (EU), hosted by Kuwait on Monday, underscored the depth of the strategic partnership between the two blocs and their shared commitment to strengthening cooperation across multiple fields. The meeting emphasized the importance of coordination and dialogue amid ongoing regional and global transformations.
In its final statement, the meeting reaffirmed that the Gulf–European partnership—rooted in the 1988 Cooperation Agreement—serves as a cornerstone for global peace, security, and prosperity. The statement hailed the success of the first GCC–EU Summit held in Brussels in 2024 under the theme “Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity” and expressed anticipation for the next summit in Saudi Arabia in 2026.
The statement praised Kuwait’s hosting of the Second High-Level Ministerial Security Forum on Regional Security and Cooperation, held on Sunday, which provided a vital platform for dialogue on peace, defense, counterterrorism, maritime and cyber security, and disarmament.
It highlighted the importance of practical initiatives such as the Maritime Security Symposium in Brussels, the Cyber Diplomacy Roundtable in Riyadh, the establishment of a Joint Working Group on Counterterrorism.
In the economic domain, both sides reiterated their commitment to enhancing trade and investment ties, resuming negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA), diversifying supply chains, and supporting digital trade and the green economy.
The statement commended the outcomes of the 8th GCC–EU Business Forum held in Doha and preparations for the 9th Forum, set to take place in Kuwait in November 2025, alongside plans for the next Macroeconomic Dialogue in December 2025.
On energy and climate issues, the statement emphasized the importance of collaboration in clean energy, hydrogen, carbon capture, and green transformation technologies.
It praised upcoming initiatives, including the Energy Conference and Green Transformation Forum in Riyadh and the Investment Forum in Abu Dhabi, while calling for united efforts to tackle climate change, biodiversity loss, and desertification.
The meeting welcomed the signing of a Memorandum of Administrative Arrangements between the Gulf Emergency Management Centre and the European Commission for Civil Protection, as well as the launch of the Radiation Data Exchange Platform (GCC-RDEP)—a key step in improving disaster management capabilities.
The statement also stressed the importance of sharing expertise in education, research, and innovation through programs such as Horizon Europe and Erasmus, and announced plans to establish a regional focal point to support youth initiatives and emerging enterprises.
It further welcomed the Young Leaders in Regional Diplomacy Program, launched in Kuwait, which brought together 14 diplomats from GCC member states and the EU, reflecting the growing emphasis on youth engagement and diplomatic capacity-building within the partnership.
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