5 Top Points
- The Arab League Bahrain Declaration called for deploying UN peacekeepers and hosting an international peace conference to resolve the Palestinian issue.
- Oman hosted indirect talks between the US and Iran aiming to reduce tensions.
- The GCC countries’ leaders offered condolences over the demise of Iran’s President, Foreign Minister and other officials involved in a helicopter crash.
- UAE and France eye closer cooperation and investment opportunities in the French nuclear industry.
- Qatari and Italian officials discussed ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation and regional issues.
‘Round and About the Gulf
Kingdom of Bahrain
Friday, 17 May—Leaders of the Arab League countries adopted the Bahrain Declaration at the 33rd Arab League Summit in Manama, calling for ‘the deployment of United Nations international protection and peacekeeping forces in the occupied Palestinian territory until the two-state solution is implemented’, calling on all Palestinian factions to unite under the umbrella of the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO), and supporting the proposal to convene an international peace conference to resolve the Palestinian issue and taking irreversible steps to implement the two-state solution.
State of Kuwait
Sunday, 19 May—Kuwait’s Cabinet approved a draft decree forming the Civil Service Council and a decree to form a supreme committee to investigate Kuwaiti citizenship and submitted them to the Emir.
Sultanate of Oman
Friday, 17 May—It was confirmed that earlier that week Oman hosted and mediated the first indirect talks between the US and Iran in several months, aiming to deescalate tensions and address Iran’s regional proxies as well as Tehran’s nuclear programme. The talks involved the US White House Coordinator for the Middle East and North Africa, Brett McGurk, and the Acting Special Envoy for Iran, Abram Paley.
State of Qatar
Friday, 17 May—Qatar plans to sign more long-term liquefied natural gas (LNG) contracts in 2024, according to QatarEnergy CEO and State Minister for Energy, Saad Al-Kaabi, who stressed that the country secured 25 million tons of long-term LNG sales over the past 12 months. Speaking at the Qatar Economic Forum, he also stated that he expects the demand for LNG to increase in Europe.
Monday, 20 May—Qatar’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence Affairs, Khalid bin Mohamed Al-Attiyah, and Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Interior, Abdulaziz bin Saud Al-Saud, co-chaired the 2nd meeting of the security and military committee established by the Saudi-Qatari Coordination Council in a bid to strengthen bilateral security cooperation.
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Monday, 20 May—On the sidelines of the Future Aviation Forum 2024 in Riyadh, Saudia Group, which includes the namesake national flag carrier, signed a $19 billion (€17.5 billion) order for 105 aircraft with Airbus, the largest aircraft deal with the company in Saudi Arabia’s history. The Forum, which gathered ministers, heads of civil aviation authorities and major airlines from around the world, aimed to showcase investment opportunities exceeding $100 billion (€92 billion) as part of Saudi Vision 2030’s goals aiming to transform the country into a leading logistics hub and the Saudi National Tourism Strategy, which seeks to attract over 150 million tourists by 2030.
Friday, 17 May—Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to Spain, Princess Haifa Al-Mogrin, presented her credentials to King Felipe VI. She became Saudi Arabia’s sixth female Ambassador after Finland, Norway, Sweden, the United States and the European Union (Brussels).
United Arab Emirates
Friday, 17 May—The UAE Cabinet approved a new 10-year Blue Residency visa for individuals who have made exceptional efforts and contributions to protecting the environment in a bid to attract talents in the field of sustainability and innovation as well as climate champions from around the world.
EU Corner
Sunday, 19 May—The EU naval mission in the Red Sea (EUNAVFOR Aspides) announced that in the first three months of its operation its forces provided protection to 120 commercial ships and destroyed 12 drones, one drone boat, and four ballistic missiles fired by the Houthis from Yemen.
Monday, 20 May—High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, released a statement on behalf of the European Union, offering condolences for the death of the Iranian President, Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and other Iranian officials involved in a helicopter crash the previous day. The EU also expressed its sympathies to the families of all the victims and to the Iranian citizens affected.
Tuesday, 21 May—The European Union will host the 2nd Schuman Security and Defence Forum in Brussels between 28-29 May. The invitees include representatives of various EU and non-EU countries, notably Bahrain, Israel, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and the United Arab Emirates, as well as representatives of the Gulf Cooperation Council, Arab League and NATO.
Key Official Visits & Contacts
Friday, 17 May—Qatar’s Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi, met separately with Secretary-General of the Italian Foreign Ministry, Riccardo Guariglia, and Diplomatic Advisor to Italian Prime Minister, Fabrizio Saggio, in addition to a number of Members of the Italian Parliament. The talks focused on ways to strengthen bilateral relations, the situation in Gaza and cooperation on delivering humanitarian aid to the Strip, in addition to the latest developments in the Mediterranean region. On the occasion, Al-Khulaifi participated in the main session of the 3rd edition of The European House-Ambrosetti Forum, held in Sorrento.
18 May—The Greek Minister of National Defence, Nikos Dendias, travelled to the UAE, where he met with the Minister of State for Defence Affairs, Mohamed bin Mubarak Al-Mazrouei, and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abdullah bin Zayed Al-Nahyan. The talks focused on ways to strengthen strategic bilateral relations, the situation in Gaza and the Red Sea, the EU Operation ASPIDES, among others.
Sunday, 19 May—Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman Al-Saud, received the US White House National Security Adviser, Jake Sullivan. They discussed the ongoing efforts to end the war in Gaza and to review the ‘nearly final version’ of the draft of US-Saudi strategic agreements.
Monday, 20 May—Bahrain’s Minister of Tourism and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA), Fatima bint Jaffar Al-Sairafi, received the United Kingdom’s Minister for Arts and Heritage, Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay, to discuss ways to boost cooperation in tourism, notably through initiatives focusing on the private sector, tourism investment opportunities, as well as strategic partnerships in the hospitality and travel industry.
Monday, 20 May—The US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defence for Middle East, Daniel Shapiro, was in Kuwait for talks with the First Deputy Prime Minister, Defence Minister and Interior Minister, Fahad Yousef Al-Sabah.
Monday, 20 May—Saudi Arabia’s King Salman and Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman extended their condolences and sympathy to the Acting President of Iran, Mohammad Mokhber, and the people of Iran on the death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and his accompanying delegation. The same day, Foreign Minister, Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud, held a phone call with Iran’s Acting Foreign Minister, Ali Bagheri Kani, expressing ‘his deep condolences and sincere sympathy.’ Similarly, Bahrain’s King, Kuwait’s Emir, Oman’s Sultan Qatar’s Emir and the UAE President and other officials extended their condolences on the death of the Iranian officials.
Tuesday 21 May—Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Investment, Khalid Al-Falih, Minister of Energy, Abdulaziz bin Salman Al-Saud, and Minister of Communications and Information, Abdallah Alswaha, attended the Saudi Arabia-Japan Vision 2030 Business Forum in Tokyo, which gathered over 300 industry officials and leaders discussing ways to boost bilateral trade, investment and cultural ties, with a focus on cooperation notably in manufacturing, sustainability, energy, entertainment and gaming sectors. Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Mohammed bin Salman Al-Saud, postponed his four-day state visit trip to Japan due to King Salman’s health issues.
Tuesday, 21 May—The Chairman of Oman’s State Council, Abdulmalik Abdullah Al-Khalili, travelled to Russia, where he held talks with Russia’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Special Representative of the President for the Middle East and Africa, Mikhail Bogdanov. The visit aimed to enhance cooperation between the two countries in all fields and consolidate relations between the Omani State Council and the Russian Federation Council.
Monday, 20 May—The French Minister of Economy and Finance, Bruno Le Maire, travelled to Qatar and the UAE. In Doha, he attended the Global Security Forum and held bilateral talks with several Qatari officials, including Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, Minister of Energy, Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi, and Finance Minister, Ali bin Ahmed Al-Kuwari. In the UAE, Le Maire held meetings with Sultan Al-Jaber, the UAE’s Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Head of Masdar renewable energy company and the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), and Khaldoon Al-Mubarak, the Managing Director of Mubadala and Chairman of the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation, to discuss the UAE’s potential investments in the French nuclear industry. It came a few days after Abu Dhabi hosted the 16th session of the UAE-France Strategic Dialogue, which affirmed both countries’ interest in expanding their cooperation and strategic ties in various sectors.
Monday, 20 May—Qatar’s Special Envoy of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Faisal bin Abdullah Al-Hanzab, met with the visiting US Special Representative for Afghanistan, Thomas West, to discuss the latest developments in Afghanistan and the joint international efforts to achieve security and stability in Afghanistan.