Muscat,
ONA) — Deliberations of the 27th meeting of the Joint GCC-EU Ministerial Council began at Al Bustan Palace Hotel in Muscat today.
Sayyid Badr Hamad Al Busaidi, Foreign Minister, Head of the current session, said “We look forward to fruitful conversations and to taking some significant steps towards the further development of the relationship between the European Union and the Gulf Cooperation Council”.
He added that the meeting that this meeting is a key milestone in the development of our strategic partnership. This meeting, Sayyid Badr said, is a prime opportunity to engage in a substantive dialogue aimed at combatting the spread of Islamophobia and xenophobia.
He affirmed his belief in the capacity of regional organisations to strengthen security and stability, to promote economic activity and to enhance prosperity and the wellbeing of peoples.
Sayyid Badr pointed out that the economic activity, and the deepening of economic relations between us, can be a powerful means for political relations, strengthening peace, and avoiding conflict. In this regard, the European Union (EU) itself is of course an exemplary historical achievement, he said.
He added that concrete measures have been taken to increase the effectiveness of investment in the green energy sector, promote cooperation in the field of cybersecurity, and facilitate the exchange of expertise between the two sides by involving GCC students in the EU “Erasmus” programme.
Regarding the Palestinian-Israeli issue, Sayyid Badr called for an immediate ceasefire, the release of prisoners from all parties, adherence to international and humanitarian laws, and resolving the suffering of the Palestinians.
Josep Borrell, High Representative of the European Union (EU) for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Vice-President ofthe European Commission underscored in his speech the importance of discussing the partnership between the GCC and the EU for the prosperity and stability of the two regions due to the profound impact this partnership can have on the international arena.
He stated that this meeting comes at a time when the world is witnessing tragic moments in the history of the Middle East with the escalation of violence between the Palestinians and Israelis and the implications resulting from this escalation on the possibility of the two peoples living side by side in peace and security.
Borrell pointed to the cooperation of the EU with the Arab League to find a joint initiative to help revitalize the two-state solution, noting that this effort cannot replace a real negotiation process between the two parties and that everyone must actively participate to overcome the current impasse.
He also stressed the need to seize the opportunity provided by the GCC-EU meeting to explore ways to do everything possible to defuse the ongoing crisis and to look beyond the current day.
Borrell expressed the EU’s readiness to support regional-led efforts to address security challenges in the Gulf region. He pointed out that by finding common grounds to address regional stability and combining efforts, we can achieve meaningful results and contribute to a more secure and prosperous world.
He highlighted the necessity of security dialogue between the EU and the GCC countries to expand the partnership into the areas of security and stability.
Jassem Mohamed Al Budaiwi, GCC Secretary General stressed in his speech the real joint desire to strengthen cooperation frameworks in all fields and at all levels.
He added that the importance of this meeting lies in the presence of major challenges facing international security and peace, the global economy, climate change, energy security, food and water security, which require strengthening this partnership based on coordination and consultations between the two sides to enhance security and stability, deepen mutual trust, and achieve common interests.
The GCC Secretary General affirmed the GCC’s keenness to strengthen its role as a main pillar in maintaining stability and security in the region and supporting the prosperity of its people, as well as advocating constructive dialogue as a method and good neighbourliness as a principle to strengthen relations between the countries of the region.
He explained that the gross domestic product (GDP) of the GCC countries exceeded (USD 2.4 trillion), and it is expected to reach (USD 6 trillion) in 2050. He added that the financial value of the Gulf stock markets combined by the end of 2022 amounted to more than (USD 4 trillion), and the value of financial assets of sovereign funds in the GCC countries stood at more than (USD 3.225 billion).
The 27th meeting of the Joint GCC-EU Ministerial Council explores ways to strengthen joint strategic relations. It also discusses issues pertaining to regional security and climate change, as well as expanding economic cooperation and maintaining cooperation in the field of humanitarian aid.
