ShareKUWAIT: The European Union is seeking deeper cooperation with Gulf Cooperation Council nations across many fields through the first-ever European Union (EU)-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) summit, said EU Ambassador to Kuwait Anne Koistinen. The summit, she said, sends a strong message to EU and GCC citizens and the world: we are committed to developing a strategic partnership for many years to come.
Koistinen held a press conference at the EU delegation headquarters in Kuwait ahead of the EU-GCC summit which will take place on October 16, 2024, in Brussels. “During the Summit, the leaders of the member states of the European Union and of the Gulf Cooperation Council will convene to build on the strong partnership between the Gulf and the EU and its member states,” Koistinen said. The summit will also see the signing of an agreement between the EU’s Emergency Response Coordination Centre and the GCC Emergency Management Centre, which is based in Kuwait.
She added that the EU is pursuing collaboration with the GCC in various fields, including trade and investments, green and digital transition, sustainable energy, humanitarian aid, education, research and innovation as well as investments in projects connecting Asia, the Middle East, and Europe through both actual and digital infrastructure.
Koistinen stressed that the EU is dedicated to fostering people-to-people relations. “Earlier this month, we joined hands with Kuwaiti and European institutions, private sector, civil society and students in organizing an important event on ‘Green Skills as a Driver for the Just Green Transition.’
“Furthermore, the EU aims to continue deepening the Human Rights Dialogues between the EU and the GCC Member States including Kuwait, on the basis of mutual respect. We are currently preparing the next round of the Human Rights Dialogue with Kuwait,” she continued. The summit will also look into strengthening EU-GCC humanitarian cooperation. In this regard, the EU acknowledges Kuwait’s significant contribution in the humanitarian field. “We would like to join hands with Kuwait in expanding our joint humanitarian efforts in the region and beyond,” she said.
Maritime security challenges
The EU is also looking forward to strengthening EU-GCC cooperation in the economic and investments fields as well, cooperating with Kuwait under the European Union’s Global Gateway initiative. “There are also opportunities for cooperation between the EU and the GCC in other regions, such as the Horn of Africa, Yemen, and Afghanistan.”
Koistinen added that the EU remains committed to engaging with regional actors to call for diplomacy, dialogue, restraint and to prevent further military escalation. “European Union appreciates Kuwait’s sincere voice of moderation and support to multilateralism and the UN Charter.”
During the Summit, EU and GCC leaders will discuss enhanced cooperation on maritime security, counterterrorism, non-proliferation, and cyber and hybrid threats as well as response to disasters. Recent developments in the Red Sea with ongoing attacks by the Houthis against merchant vessels highlight that maritime security is important for the EU and for the Gulf partners.
“The EU agreed to continue working closely with the GCC countries to address security challenges and freedom of navigation in the Red Sea ... Building on the successful launch of the EU-GCC Structured Security Dialogue in January 2024, we aim for the second edition of the EU-GCC High Level Forum on Regional Security and Cooperation in 2025,” Koistinen said.
Decarbonization efforts
Regarding climate change and environmental disasters Ambassador Koistinen said “the summit will be the occasion to establish structured cooperation on disaster management and emergency response through the signing of an Agreement between the EU’s Emergency Response Coordination Centre and the GCC Emergency Management Centre, which is based in Kuwait.
“Kuwait, as well as the other GCC countries, is a key player in energy markets. The EU sees many opportunities for cooperation with Kuwait in the fields of investments in renewables and green hydrogen. Together, we can play a key role in global decarbonization efforts.” She clarified.
Ambassador Koistinen stressed that the EU also stands ready to support Kuwait in the implementation of its 2035 Vision and fostering economic diversification, decarbonization and sustainable competitiveness. After more than one year as the EU Ambassador to Kuwait, Koistinen expressed that it was a year filled with success and progress in EU-Kuwait cooperation.
“Our joint work has seen progress across many fields including trade and economic diversification, just green transition, peace and security, women’s empowerment, humanitarian cooperation, people-to-people contacts and cultural exchanges,” Koistinen added.
She continued Kuwait is an important partner for the European Union, as reflected by the recent visit of the President of the European Council Charles Michel to Kuwait in September. “He was honored to meet HH the Amir Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, HH the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah and HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah.” Ambassador Koistinen added that the EU looks forward to building on the momentum of the summit and the upcoming Kuwaiti Presidency of the GCC to bring mutual relations to new heights.
