Abstract: In October 2024 EU and GCC Representatives met in Brussels to start a new “Partnership for sustainable prosperity and security” between the two Regions. 33 States, 2 regional organizations and some common goals; above all respecting international law and UN resolutions. About this, regional leaders expressed the importance of cease-fire in Ukraine and Gaza, the rebuild of new relations with Iran and the fundamental role of EU in the Red Sea.
Keywords: GCC; EU; Peace; Ukraine; Partnership; UN; Israel; Gaza; Red Sea; Iran
On 16 October 2024, the first-ever Summit between the European Union and the Gulf Cooperation Council was held. These two regional organisations differ not only in geographical location but also in structure, powers and purpose. Nevertheless, Member’s States Representatives and the Heads of the two Organisations — for the EU attended the Presidents of European Council and Commission, and for the GCC, the President-in-Office and the Secretary General — met in Brussels and found points of convergence on several issues, including possible solutions to various ongoing crises.
The Final Communiqué focuses not only on the situation in Ukraine and Gaza, but also on Syria, Sudan and the Red Sea, as well as Iran’s nuclear proliferation and the ongoing devastation in Sudan and Somalia. A useful document to understand the position of 33 states (27 EU + 6 GCC) on issues of great relevance in the current (and future) geopolitical framework.
Objectives and methods of action are made clear from the very first lines: ‘promote global and regional security and prosperity, including preventing the emergence and escalation of conflicts and resolving crises by enhancing dialogue, coordination and engagement.’ In this sense, multilateralism remains central, according to regional leaders, in achieving concrete goals.
About Ukraine, while recalling the importance of international law and the principle of territorial integrity, the two Organisations seem to converge on a harsh condemnation of Russian aggression. On the issue, recalling UN General Assembly resolution ES-11/1, the Parties ‘demand that the Russian Federation immediately, completely and unconditionally withdraw all its military forces from the territory of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders.’
The position on the conflict in Palestine is also very much oriented towards an international concord that passes through the United Nations and multilateralism. The Summit participants, in calling on the Parties to the conflict to avoid escalation, emphasised the importance of the release of Israeli hostages and imprisoned Palestinians as well as a cease-fire which, they explained, must take place quickly and favour humanitarian aid to civilians in the Gaza Strip. More generally, the Parties identify the two-state solution as essential, recalling the recent Bahrain Declaration of May 2024 adopted by the Arab League. A document highly critical of Israel’s actions but rich in concrete ideas in response to the almost century-old diatribe on Palestinian territory.
Also, on the situation in Lebanon, the two Organisations agree on the need for a cease-fire and the launch of a humanitarian aid plan in line with the resolutions already adopted in the UN context (Security Council Resolution 1701). Important is the statement about UNIFIL mission which, for both Parties, must continue as a guarantee of ‘reducing the risks of escalation.’
Regarding Iran’s nuclear policies, on the other hand, what emerges is Tehran’s demand for a return to international rules with the ultimate objective of guaranteeing a region free of atomic energy used for war purposes. Observations made recalling, also in this case, the various UN resolutions on the subject, lastly Security Council Resolution 2231.
About the other crisis scenarios, too, the European Union and the Gulf Cooperation Council display absolute agreement of intent in the wake of international law, in particular with the (not always recent) decisions adopted by the UN Security Council. For the Houthi in the Red Sea, they reiterate the importance of trade, respect for navigation rules and, not to be taken for granted, the role of EU direct involvement with military forces in the area affected by acts of piracy. Thus, on Yemen, where the Parties are urged to follow up on the proposals of the UN Special Envoy. In the case of Iraq and Syria, the Organisations’ Representatives, once again, invoked international law, respect for covenant agreements (as regards the maritime dispute between Kuwait and Iraq) and the centrality of the principle of territorial integrity.
Finally, with respect to the serious famines that are afflicting the population of Sudan and Somalia because of conflicts, humanitarian law seems to be the answer on which both Parties converge.
At first reading, it may seem that the recent summit essentially confirmed moderate positions, which had already been advocated in various international fora. But this outcome was not to be taken for granted considering the current changing international context. The Summit has on the one hand, reaffirmed the centrality of international law — today in great distress — and, on the other, highlighted the growing role that regional organisations can and must aspire to as international players. In this direction, therefore, the emergence of the ‘Partnership for sustainable prosperity and security’ between the two Regions confirms the importance, which has been called into question in recent years, of common responses to global problems.