Kuwait city: Talks between the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and European Union (EU) encapsulate the mutual commitment to strengthen the strategic partnership between the two regional blocs amid existential security challenges, Kuwait's Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdullah Al-Yahya said on Monday.
According to Kuwait News Agency, Kuwait hosted the latest round of ministerial-level talks between the six-member bloc and the EU, seeking to increase its ties with international partners through its current position as head of the GCC ministerial level council. The Kuwaiti minister made these remarks during a joint press conference with EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas and GCC secretary general Jasem Al-Budaiwi.
Efforts are aimed at forging new "strategic partnerships" to preserve development and prosperity at a time when challenges have become widespread. The minister emphasized a common ambition between the EU and GCC to translate the results of the talks into concrete and tangible realities on the ground.
The Kuwaiti foreign minister praised the EU's participation during the talks, viewing it as a testament to the EU's commitment towards strengthening its relations with the Riyadh-based bloc. This commitment, he said, subsequently enhances regional and global peace and stability.
EU's foreign policy chief highlighted that the talks focused on boosting broad cooperation and ties across various fields, building on the inaugural EU-GCC summit held in Brussels last year. Current regional happenings were also addressed, with discussions on the situation in the Gaza Strip and developments in Syria and Lebanon. Diplomacy was emphasized as key in addressing regional and global challenges.
The longevity of GCC-EU relations, spanning over four decades, was highlighted. The EU was praised as one of the GCC's most prominent partners, with regular bilateral talks seen as crucial in maintaining and enhancing ties.