Kuwait city: The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the European Union (EU) emphasized their strategic partnership and commitment to enhancing bilateral cooperation amidst regional and international changes during their 29th meeting in Kuwait.
According to Kuwait News Agency, the final communique from the meeting reaffirmed the partnership, grounded in the 1988 cooperation agreement, as a cornerstone for global peace, security, and prosperity. The outcomes of the first summit held in Brussels in 2014 were commended, and it was announced that the next GCC-EU gathering will take place in Saudi Arabia in 2026.
The communique praised Kuwait for hosting the second GCC-EU security and regional cooperation ministerial meeting, which served as a platform for discussions on peace, defense, counterterrorism, maritime security, cybersecurity, and disarmament. Economically, both sides reiterated their commitment to promoting trade and investment relations, resuming free trade agreement negotiations, and supporting digital commerce and the green economy. The outcomes of the Eighth GCC-EU Business Forum in Doha and preparations for the Ninth Forum in Kuwait in November 2025 were highlighted.
In the energy and climate sectors, the significance of cooperation in clean energy, hydrogen, carbon capture, and green transition technology was emphasized. The statement also lauded the Green Transition Forum in Riyadh and the Investment Forum in Abu Dhabi. Moreover, a Memorandum of Understanding for administrative arrangements between the Gulf Emergency Management Center and the EU was signed, enhancing crisis management capabilities.
The final communique stressed the importance of sharing expertise in education, research, and innovation, while supporting youth projects and startups. It condemned the recent Israeli occupation attack on Qatar and supported Qatar's sovereignty and territorial integrity, advocating for a two-state solution based on the June 4, 1967 borders. The ongoing mediation efforts of Qatar, Egypt, and the US were lauded, and a call was made for the release of the Palestinian Authority's revenues.
Regarding Ukraine, the communique reaffirmed support for its sovereignty and territorial integrity, expressing concern over violations of European airspace. Additionally, it highlighted Iraq's commitment to Kuwait's sovereignty and the importance of respecting United Nations Security Council resolutions, specifically Resolution 833. The need to complete border demarcation beyond frontier marker 162 was emphasized, along with the commendation of UNSC Resolution 2792.
The statement concluded by underscoring the importance of ongoing consultation and coordination, announcing that the 30th ministerial meeting will be held in Brussels in 2026, and expressing gratitude to Kuwait for successfully hosting the GCC-EU meetings.