BRUSSELS: The EU-GCC summit appealed on Wednesday to Iraq to solve the pending issues with Kuwait regarding maritime borders and others. On maritime borders between Kuwait and Iraq, the final communiqué of the summit said that solving the pending issues between the two sides in line with international law contributes positively to regional cooperation and stability. The communiqué said it sheds light on the importance of Iraq’s abidance by Kuwait’s sovereign and territorial integrity as well as the respect of bilateral deals and international treaties and the relevant UN resolutions, mainly the 833.

The leaders, during the summit, called for the demarcation of maritime borders between Kuwait and Iraq at 162, stressing the importance of full implementation of the Kuwaiti-Iraqi deal regulating maritime navigation at Khor Abdullah, which was signed in April 2012 and came into effect on December 5, 2013. They reiterated support for the UNSC Resolution 2017 of 2013 that tasked the UN Secretary General Special Envoy and the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) with boosting efforts related to returning all Kuwaitis and third-country nationals back home. The communiqué called on Iraq and the UN to do their best to reach a solution to all these issues.

The EU-GCC summit stressed the commitment to upgrade the strategic partnership between both sides to higher levels in line with the joint action program. In a final communiqué, the two sides affirmed that this special partnership is based on reciprocal respect and confidence of the peoples of this region and beyond. The partnership will work on boosting security and prosperity regionally and internationally, preventing the eruption of conflicts, and resolving crises through dialogue and coordination.

BRUSSELS: His Highness the Amir Representative, His Highness the Prime Minister receives at his residence in Brussels the Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, on the sidelines of the EU-GCC Summit. The two leaders discussed solid-rock relations between Kuwait and Spain, ways of cementing these strategic ties, cooperation in many domains in a manner serving mutual interests, as well as cooperation and coordination over issues listed on the agenda of the summit.

His Highness the Amir’s Representative, His Highness the Prime Minister receives the Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, on sidelines of the EU-GCC Summit.

Trade and investment

EU-GCC states further affirmed commitment to enhance trade and investment through making use of opportunities provided. The statement emphasized the proceedings with discussions to reach a free trade deal between the EU and GCC states. The joint discussions, which covered geopolitical developments, regional security, economy, communication, trade, investment, business environment, innovation, developmental cooperation, and humanitarian coordination, have highly enhanced reciprocal understanding and partnership, the communiqué stated.

Saudi to host the summit

The statement noted that the summit will be held every two years and that Saudi Arabia will host it in 2026. The two sides announced that they would explore opportunities in varied fields like financial technology, digital transformation, and health. In addition, they emphasized commitment to bolster collaboration on energy and renewable energy, saying that dialogue between the EU and OPEC is energy security.

On climate change, they said they would work to boost their efforts to create sustainable and varied economies to benefit their nations and contribute to global action in accordance with the Paris agreement. The statement said that the two sides would speed up their cooperation in renewable energy, hydrogen, and technology so as to reduce carbon emissions. Brussels hosted the summit, in which a Kuwaiti delegation was led by His Highness the Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah’s Representative, His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah.

New phase of partnership

Meanwhile, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and GCC Secretary General Jasem Al-Budaiwi have stressed that the EU-GCC summit is imperative to enhance growth opportunities. In her inaugural speech at the summit, von der Leyen said the EU and GCC have started a new phase of strategic partnership, adding that the security and prosperity of the two regions are integrated and related to each other.

“This is a historic summit, which proves the two sides’ visions as strategic partners that cooperate for a common future. No economic growth without security,” she affirmed, referring to the Middle East situation and the Russian-Ukrainian war that have greatly affected the two regions. Von der Leyen called for mobilizing diplomatic efforts to halt this perilous escalation in the Middle East. She called for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon, protecting civilians and diplomats so as to create sustainable security.

Meanwhile, Al-Budaiwi said the summit shows that the two sides are aware of the importance of enhancing political and economic relations between the GCC and EU. This will help the two sides achieve their desired goals and upgrade strategic partnership for wider horizons on different levels. He pointed to the deal signed by the two sides in 1988 and the 2020-2027 joint action program. The summit is held out of strategic partnership and the extension of friendly relations between the two sides, he noted. — KUNA