The twenty ninth Joint Ministerial Assembly 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 2 blocs and their shared dedication to strengthening cooperation throughout a number of fields. The assembly emphasised the significance of coordination and dialogue amid ongoing regional and international transformations.
In its remaining assertion, the assembly reaffirmed that the Gulf–European partnership—rooted within the 1988 Cooperation Settlement—serves as a cornerstone for international peace, safety, and prosperity. The assertion hailed the success of the primary GCC–EU Summit held in Brussels in 2024 beneath the theme “Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity” and expressed anticipation for the subsequent summit in Saudi Arabia in 2026.
The assertion praised Kuwait’s internet hosting of the Second Excessive-Degree Ministerial Safety Discussion board on Regional Safety and Cooperation, held on Sunday, which offered a significant platform for dialogue on peace, protection, counterterrorism, maritime and cyber safety, and disarmament.
It highlighted the significance of sensible initiatives such because the Maritime Safety Symposium in Brussels, the Cyber Diplomacy Roundtable in Riyadh, the institution of a Joint Working Group on Counterterrorism.
Within the financial area, either side reiterated their dedication to enhancing commerce and funding ties, resuming negotiations for a Free Commerce Settlement (FTA), diversifying provide chains, and supporting digital commerce and the inexperienced financial system.
The assertion counseled the outcomes of the eighth GCC–EU Enterprise Discussion board held in Doha and preparations for the ninth Discussion board, set to happen in Kuwait in November 2025, alongside plans for the subsequent Macroeconomic Dialogue in December 2025.
On vitality and local weather points, the assertion emphasised the significance of collaboration in clear vitality, hydrogen, carbon seize, and inexperienced transformation applied sciences.
It praised upcoming initiatives, together with the Vitality Convention and Inexperienced Transformation Discussion board in Riyadh and the Funding Discussion board in Abu Dhabi, whereas calling for united efforts to deal with local weather change, biodiversity loss, and desertification.
The assembly welcomed the signing of a Memorandum of Administrative Preparations between the Gulf Emergency Administration Centre and the European Fee for Civil Safety, in addition to the launch of the Radiation Information Change Platform (GCC-RDEP)—a key step in enhancing catastrophe administration capabilities.
The assertion additionally careworn the significance of sharing experience in training, analysis, and innovation via packages reminiscent of Horizon Europe and Erasmus, and introduced plans to ascertain a regional point of interest to help youth initiatives and rising enterprises.
It additional welcomed the Younger Leaders in Regional Diplomacy Program, launched in Kuwait, which introduced collectively 14 diplomats from GCC member states and the EU, reflecting the rising emphasis on youth engagement and diplomatic capacity-building inside the partnership.
Observe The Occasions Kuwait on
X, Instagram and Facebook for the most recent information updates