Brussels, Oct. 16, (dpa/GNA) – High-level representatives from the Gulf region meet their European Union counterparts on Wednesday in Brussels for the first summit between the two regional organizations.
The emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, is to host the meeting alongside outgoing European Council President Charles Michel.
Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates – which form the Gulf Cooperation Council – have become increasingly important partners for the EU in recent years.
Mineral fuel imports from the region to the EU have tripled since 2020, exacerbated by Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine and the subsequent drastic change in Europe’s energy supply sources.
Next to energy, the talks are likely to touch on more contentious topics such as the EU’s support for Ukraine and condemnation of Russia’s actions, the conflict in the Middle East and visa policy.
“We don’t see eye-to-eye on all topics,” said a senior EU official charged with preparing the meeting.
It was however important to the EU to have a dialogue with Gulf countries and to explain the bloc’s positions, the official said.
Economic cooperation is also high on the agenda with trade between the two regions generating €170 billion ($186 billion) in 2023, according to EU figures.
Negotiation on a free trade agreement between the two regions began in 1990, but were suspended in 2008 due to various challenges.
French President Emmanuel Macron is to represent German Chancellor Olaf Scholz at the meeting.
GNA