5 Top Points
- The first ever EU-GCC Summit was held in Brussels.
- The UAE President met with Putin and attended the BRICS Summit in Russia.
- Saudi Arabia and Qatar held phone calls with the US.
- Qatar Emir calls for referendum on legislative elections.
- The GCC and China met to negotiate a free trade agreement.
‘Round and About the Gulf’
Kingdom of Bahrain
Wednesday, 16 October—Bahrain’s Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa, delivered Bahrain’s address at the opening ceremony of the EU-GCC Summit. The speech emphasised developing economic prosperity, fostering security, and calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages.
State of Kuwait
Monday, 21 October—The Interior Ministry announced the detainment and deportation of 21,190 violators of work visa laws since the beginning of the year, with another 11,970 amending their legal standing. 59 felonies and 506 cases of misdemeanour were registered as the result of investigations into fake companies. These efforts reflect Kuwaiti authorities’ determination to crack down on visa forgeries and manipulations.
Sultanate of Oman
Sunday, 20 October—The Chief of Staff of the Sultan’s Armed Forces (SAF), Vice Admiral Abdullah Al-Raisi, met with the Commander of the French Forces in the Indian Ocean, Admiral Hugues Lainé, to discuss various military matters of mutual interest. Lainé and his delegation visited the Maritime Security Centre (MSC) to assess the latest technologies used to carry out Omani national duties.
State of Qatar
Tuesday, 15 October—Emir Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, called for a referendum on a constitutional amendment to abolish legislative elections for the Shura Council. The proposal would reinstate the system of the Emir appointing the council members, which preceded the first ever Shura Council election in 2021. The Emir cited preservation of national unity as the rationale behind the proposal.
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Sunday, 20 October—The inaugural Saudi Arabia AI and Drone Exhibition and Forum will take place 4-6 November and will focus on the rapid growth of drones and artificial intelligence in agriculture. The aim is to support the diversification of the economy and help achieve sustainability by positioning the country as a key regional hub for this industry.
United Arab Emirates
Friday, 18 October—The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced its successful mediation in a prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine which will result in the repatriation of 190 soldiers. This brings the total number of captives exchanged through UAE mediation efforts to 2,184.
Friday, 18 October—President Mohamed bin Zayed bin Sultan Al-Nahyan issued a directive for the construction of dams and canals across the UAE to bolster water security and act against future flood threats. It includes building 9 dams and expanding existing ones to increase water reserves and building 9 canals to mitigate the effects of rainfall.
EU Corner
Wednesday, 16 October—At the first EU-GCC Summit, leaders committed to the following agenda: Global Security and Prosperity; bolster trade and energy relations; people-to-people initiatives; and de-escalation in the Middle East. High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, commended the GCC’s efforts for supporting the ‘Peace Formula’ process of Ukraine and the joint launch with the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) of the Global Alliance for the Implementation of the Two-State Solution. The next EU-GCC summit will be hosted by Saudi Arabia in 2026.
Wednesday, 16 October—The Foreign Ministers of the GCC took part in a business dinner hosted by the EU in preparation for the GCC-EU Summit. The foreign ministers exchanged their views on military escalation in the Middle East and Ukraine and looked towards achieving solutions to both conflicts aided by international law and acknowledging the humanitarian dimension.
Wednesday, 16 October—Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, met with the President of the EU Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, to discuss economic growth, renewable energy, and people-to-people exchange.
Wednesday, 16 October—Oman’s Deputy Prime Minister for Relations and International Cooperation Affairs and Special Representative, Sayyid Asaad Tariq Taimur Al-Said, met with the President of the EU, Charles Michel, to discuss regional stability and cooperation in various areas.
Thursday, 17 October— The EU and the GCC submitted an appeal to Iraq to solve maritime issues with Kuwait in line with international law and UN resolution 833. The EU-GCC Summit supports the implementation of the Kuwaiti-Iraqi deal in regulating maritime navigation at Khor Abdullah which was signed in April 2012 and came into effect on 5 December 2013.
Key Official Visits& Contacts
Wednesday, 16-18 October—The 11th round of negotiations on the free trade agreement between the General Coordinator of the Negotiations and the Head of the GCC Negotiating Team, Raja bin Manahi Al-Marzouqi, and the Vice Minister of Commerce of China, Wang Shouwen, took place in Guangzhou. The meeting was meant to address technical issues and the agreement is expected to be finalised by the end of 2024.
Thursday, 17 October—The GCC Secretary General, Jasem Mohamed Al-Budaiwi, met with UK Minister of State for the Middle East and North Africa, Hamish Falconer, to continue their negotiation on free trade agreement between the GCC and the UK. They also discussed enhancing their bilateral relations and recent developments in the Middle East.
Thursday, 17 October—The US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, held two separate phone calls with Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister, Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud, and Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, discussing efforts to end the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
Friday, 18 October—Qatar’s Minister of State for International Cooperation, Lolwah bint Rashid Al-Khater, met with the Turkish Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Berris Ekinci, via video conference to discuss ways to enhance the two countries’ cooperation and relations, especially in the developmental and humanitarian fields. This includes addressing the Rohingya Muslim crisis, and discussing the latest regional developments, especially in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon.
Sunday, 20 October—Saudi Arabia’s Industry and Mineral Resources Minister, Bandar Alkhorayef, met with Spanish ministers and business leaders in Madrid to enhance the two countries’ economic cooperation in key fields such as drone technology, automotive components, energy, geological surveying, mining and logistics.
Monday, 21 October—The UAE’s President, Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, held an informal meeting with Russia’s President, Vladimir Putin, in which Al-Nahyan vowed to make efforts towards resolving the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The meeting was held near Moscow ahead of the BRICS summit taking place 22-24 October in Kazan, Russia, in which Al-Nahyan is also participating to discuss economic cooperation and global challenges.
Monday, 21 October—Oman’s Foreign Minister, Sayyid Badr Hamad Al-Busaidi, met with his Polish counterpart, Andrzej Szejna, to discuss bilateral cooperation and exchange their views on regional and international issues.
Monday, 21 October—Qatar’s Emir, Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, visited Italy and met with Italian officials, including Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. They discussed their countries’ bilateral relations and recent developments in the Middle East. Meloni expressed support for Qatar’s mediation efforts, and both leaders reiterated their support for the UNIFIL mission in Lebanon. The visit also resulted in a joint declaration and multiple agreements on cooperation in key fields, including, foreign policy, migration, investments, defence, energy, judicial cooperation, research, and tourism.
Tuesday, 22 October—Bahrain’s King, Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abdullatif bin Rashid Al-Zayani, met with the Iranian Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, to discuss bilateral cooperation and de-escalation of regional tensions.
Tuesday, 22 October—Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Defence, Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, held a phone call with UK secretary of State for Defence, John Healy, to discuss efforts to reduce tensions in the Middle East and ways to boost cooperation in the defence sector.