EU-GCC summit: the Strategic Partnership between the two regions is born 

A concrete effort for global peace and stability. And also much more. Nothing was a foregone conclusion at the first-ever Summit that featured leaders of the EU and the Council of the Gulf States (Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman) today. The results brought home with the comprehensive joint final declaration (details below) went far beyond the most optimistic expectations, especially on the common position on the conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine, but also on other dossiers deemed highly strategic for the two regions. Not only that. The image that will remain in the public eye is that of the bilateral meeting between Ursula Von der Leyen and the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman. In an international momentum where the rebuilding of relations between Riyadh and Tehran is gaining specific weight in view of peace by many observers defined as decisive.

Who attended

The EU-GCC summit was attended by the highest possible levels of institutional representation from both sides. Beginning with the Saudi Crown Prince himself, Mohammed bin Salman, whose participation was confirmed within hours of the Summit, who worked alongside the GCC Chairman-in-Office, the Emir of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. On the European side all the highest authorities attended the proceedings, which were opened by Ursula Von der Leyen’s speech. And with the presence of the G7 President-in-Office, Giorgia Meloni. Work that led to a Final Declaration that included many important points: first of all on the conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine, but also on the birth of a real EU-GCC Strategic Partnership and the start of negotiations for a single visa system between the two regions.

What was decided (Ukraine)

“We reaffirm our respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of States and their commitment to the fundamental principles of the Charter of the United Nations, international law and international humanitarian law,” reads the joint final document distributed to the press in the chapter on the conflict following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. “In line with the Charter of the United Nations, all States must refrain from the threat or use of force to seek to acquire territory against the territorial integrity and sovereignty or political independence of any State. We stress the importance of supporting all efforts to facilitate the export of grain and all food and humanitarian supplies to help achieve food security for affected countries.” Not only that. What follows was the passage that was the fruit of successful negotiation that was also by no means a foregone conclusion: “We recall the United Nations General Assembly resolution ES-11/1, which deplores in the strongest possible terms the aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine in violation of Article 2 of the Charter and demands that the Russian Federation immediately,completely and unconditionally all its military forces from the territory of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders.” EU and GCC stressed “The need to achieve a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine as soon as possible in line with the principles of the UN Charter. We reaffirm our commitment to the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders, extending to its territorial waters.”

What has been decided (Middle East conflict).

We need “an immediate, full and complete ceasefire, the release of hostages, the exchange of Palestinian prisoners, and immediate and unimpeded humanitarian access to the civilian population, including the safe and effective distribution of large-scale humanitarian assistance throughout the Gaza Strip to all Palestinian civilians in need. We support the leaders of the United States, Egypt and Qatar in their efforts.” The joint outcome document reads in the section on the Middle East conflict. Thus is reaffirmed “the unwavering commitment to the realization of the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination through the two-state solution in which Israel and Palestine live side by side in peace within secure and recognized borders along the 1967 lines in line with international law and relevant U.N. resolutions and the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative”. Outspoken condemnation of “all attacks against UN missions.” On Iran there is a need to adhere to “international law, including the UN Charter” based on “respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity, non-interference in internal affairs and abstention from the use of force or threats.” Finally, it stresses “the importance of diplomatic engagement with Iran in pursuit of regional de-escalation.” It is clear from the document that Saudi Arabia could play a role with Tehran to prevent a dangerous widening of the conflict.

Immigration: progress in ongoing negotiations on entry visas

From the final document, “In line with legal requirements in both regions, we reaffirm our commitment to continue efforts to improve our people-to-people contacts by continuing to work together on practical and constructive measures toward a secure and mutually beneficial travel visa liberalization agreement between the EU/Schengen and Gulf Cooperation Council countries.” The visa issue was also seen by many observers as sensitive.

The Role of Luigi Di Maio

The first Summit was held after many years of preliminary work, accelerated in terms of the GCC’s relations with the Middle East by the European Union, thanks in part to the work of Luigi Di Maio, for the past two years EU Representative to the Gulf countries. “With the agreement on the Joint Final Declaration,” Di Maio said, ”we are sending a message to the world: a Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity between the European Union and the Gulf countries, which will help multilateralism achieve the desired goals for the major crises plaguing our regions.”