5 Top Points
- Saudi, Qatari and Bahraini delegations met with the new Syrian leadership in Damascus.
- Belarusian President visited Oman and the UAE in a bid to strengthen ties.
- Greece’s Minister of National Defence led a delegation to Doha to discuss Gaza and Syria.
- Germany’s Special Coordinator for Syria was in the UAE and Qatar to discuss the situation in Syria.
- Italy’s Defence Minister visited Kuwait to enhance defence relations and address regional security issues.
‘Round and About the Gulf
Kingdom of Bahrain
Thursday, 19 December—Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa inaugurated the Bapco Refinery Modernisation Project, the largest strategic initiative in the country’s energy sector. This project aims to enhance oil refining production capacity by 42%, reaching a total of 400,000 barrels per day. The inauguration took place in conjunction with Bahrain’s 53rd National Day and the 25th anniversary of the King’s accession to the throne.
State of Kuwait
Wednesday, 25 December—Following the Kuwaiti Cabinet’s endorsement, Kuwait plans to implement a 15% tax on multinational entities starting from 1 January 2025, as part of its efforts to address tax evasion.
Thursday, 26 December—Kuwait hosted the 46th Extraordinary Meeting of the GCC Ministerial Council focused on the latest developments in Syria and Lebanon. The meeting was chaired by Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya, Kuwait’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and current President of the Ministerial Council.
Sultanate of Oman
Thursday, 19 December—Oman acquired a stake in Angola’s Catoca and Luele diamond mines and signed agreements on cooperation in energy and strategic financial initiatives with Angola. It came during President Joao Lourenco’s visit to Muscat.
Sunday, 22 December—Oman reportedly delivered a message from US President-elect Donald Trump to Iran, proposing high-level talks on the Iranian nuclear file.
State of Qatar
Saturday, 28 December—Qatar’s Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, negotiations for a ceasefire in Gaza with a Hamas delegation, led by Khalil Al-Hayya, in Doha.
Wednesday, 25 December—Saudi Minister of Interior, Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud Al-Saud, and Qatar’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence Affairs, Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, co-chaired the second 2024 meeting of the Security and Military Committee. This meeting was conducted virtually and is part of the initiatives established by the Saudi-Qatari Coordination Council.
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Saturday, 21 December—Saudi Arabia and the other GCC countries condemned the ramming attack at a Christmas market in the German city of Magdeburg and reiterated their rejection of all forms of violence. Saudi Arabia said it had previously sought the extradition of the attacker, Taleb Jawad Al-Abdulmohsen, and warned German authorities that he could be dangerous.
Sunday, 22 December—Saudi Arabia’s Embassy in Kabul resumed its diplomatic activities, which were suspended since the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in 2021.
United Arab Emirates
Wednesday, 18 December—The UAE’s EDGE Group and Spain’s Indra Sistemas formed a new joint venture, PULSE, to develop and manufacture advanced radar systems. The agreement, signed in the presence of Spain’s Minister of Defence, Margarita Robles Fernández, in Madrid, will establish two companies: one majority-owned by Indra for the development, design, integration, sales, and maintenance of radar systems, and the other one majority-owned by EDGE responsible for radar manufacturing in Abu Dhabi.
Monday, 23 December—The UAE joined the Antarctic Treaty System, which governs international relations in Antarctica. This decision occurred just a few weeks following the launch of the Emirates Polar Programme.
EU Corner
Tuesday, 17 December—The European Union (EU) and Saudi Arabia held the 4th Human Rights Dialogue in Riyadh, co-chaired by the President of the Saudi Human Rights Commission, Hala Al-Tuwaijiri, and the EU Special Representative for Human Rights, Olof Skoog. The Dialogue covered women’s rights and vulnerable groups, rule of law, the right to a fair trial, capital punishment, freedoms of expression, assembly and association, human trafficking, economic, social and cultural rights, as well as bilateral EU-Saudi cooperation in multilateral fora.
Tuesday, 17 December—The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, stated that the EU began a process to engage cautiously with the new leadership and the civil society in Syria and announced the reopening of the EU delegation in Damascus.
Wednesday, 18 December—The EU participated in the virtual G7 Defence Policy Directors’ Working Group on coordinating and increasing support to the Lebanese Armed Forces. A few days later, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Defence, Khalid bin Salman Al-Saud, met with Lebanese Army Commander, General Joseph Aoun, to discuss bilateral military and defence relations, the latest developments in Lebanon and ways to support the Lebanese security forces to ensure the country’s stability.
Wednesday, 18 December—A delegation from the European Parliament, headed by MEP Tsvetelina Penkova (S&D), participated in the 19th annual meeting of the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) convened by the UN in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Throughout their visit, the delegation concentrated on significant challenges in the digital realm, particularly concerning AI ethics and protection of children.
Friday, 19 December—The leaders of the EU member states convened in Brussels to discuss recent developments in the Middle East, focusing on the situation in Syria, the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, humanitarian assistance for Gaza, and the prospects for a two-state solution.
Monday, 23 December—Kuwait’s Foreign Minister, Abdullah Al-Yahya, held a phone call with EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, to discuss bilateral cooperation and developments in the region.
Key Official Visits & Contacts
Tuesday, 17 December—Qatar’s Emir, Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, and Türkiye’s President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, met in Ankara to discuss the strategic ties and developments in Gaza and Syria.
Tuesday, 17 December—Greece’s Minister of National Defence, Nikos Dendias, led a delegation to Doha, where he conducted separate meetings primarily addressing issues related to Gaza and Syria. These discussions were held with Qatar’s Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, as well as the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence Affairs, Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani.
Wednesday, 18 December—Iraq’s Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, and Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Mohammed bin Salman Al-Saud, convened in Al-Ula to discuss the situation in Syria. Al-Sudani emphasised Baghdad’s commitment to Syria’s unity, non-interference in its domestic affairs, and the need to respect the Syrian people’s will.
Wednesday, 18 December—Oman and Belarus agreed to strengthen collaboration across various sectors, including clean energy, tourism, education, healthcare, technology, transport, logistics, and industry, during the visit of Belarusian President, Alexander Lukashenko, to Oman. Following his time in Oman, Lukashenko proceeded to Abu Dhabi to engage in talks regarding bilateral relations and cooperation with UAE President, Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan.
Wednesday, 18 December—Elmedin Konakovic, Foreign Minister of Bosnia and Herzegovina—an EU candidate country—visited Kuwait, where he met with Crown Prince Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah. Their meeting focused on exploring investment opportunities and potential future joint projects.
Thursday, 19 December—Tobias Lindner, the German Federal Foreign Office Minister of State and Special Coordinator for Syria, travelled to the UAE and Qatar to discuss bilateral cooperation and the latest developments in Syria. He met with the UAE President’s Diplomatic Adviser, Anwar Gargash, and Qatar’s Minister of State for International Cooperation, Maryam bint Ali Al-Misnad.
Friday, 20 December—Italy’s Minister of Defence, Guido Crosetto, visited Kuwait and held talks with the First Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence and Minister of Interior, Fahad Youssef Al-Sabah, regarding ways to enhance cooperation in defence and the latest regional developments.
Sunday, 22 December—A Saudi delegation led by an Advisor from the Royal Court met with the Head of the new Syrian administration, Ahmed Al-Sharaa, in Damascus to discuss the situation in Syria and address the smuggling of captagon. On another occasion, Al-Sharaa said Saudi Arabia has a major role in Syria’s future, including in its economic development.
Monday, 23 December—Qatar’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi, headed the first high-level delegation to Syria in 13 years, where he met with Ahmed Al-Sharaa. Qatar suggested providing technical support to resume commercial and cargo flights, in addition to ensuring the maintenance of the airport during the transitional period.
Sunday, 22 December—During Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Kuwait—the first by an Indian PM in 43 years—India and Kuwait agreed to elevate their ties to a strategic partnership and establish a joint cooperation committee led by their Foreign Ministers. This aims to enhance collaboration in various sectors, including security, trade, and energy, and they signed a Memorandum of Understanding on defence cooperation.
Monday, 23 December—UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade, Thani bin Ahmed Al-Zeyoudi, met Croatia’s Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development, Ante Šušnjar, during his official visit to Zagreb to discuss ways to enhance trade and economic cooperation as part of UAE’s efforts to deepen its economic engagement with Europe.
Wednesday, 25 December—UAE President, Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, received Hakan Fidan, Türkiye’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, in Abu Dhabi for talks on the latest developments in Syria and ways to enhance bilateral cooperation in various fields.
Friday, 27 December—The UAE General Secretariat of the National Anti-Money Laundering and Combatting Financing of Terrorism and Financing of Illegal Organisations Committee and the Italian Guardia di Finanza signed a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in the fight against emerging financial crime threats.
Saturday, 28 December—The Chairman of Bahrain’s Strategic Security Bureau, Ahmed bin Abdulaziz Al-Khalifa, met with Ahmad Al-Sharaa, Commander of the Syrian Military Coordination Division, in Damascus as Bahrain currently holds the Arab Summit Presidency. Al-Khalifa emphasised Bahrain’s support for a comprehensive transitional process in Syria to promote national reconciliation, economic recovery, and humanitarian assistance for the Syrian people and highlighted Bahrain’s initiative to facilitate the voluntary return of Syrian citizens announced on 25 December.
Sunday, 29 December—UAE’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abdullah bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, received Iran’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abbas Araghchi, in Abu Dhabi.