
The countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) are pursuing ambitious reforms aimed at economic diversification and social transformation. The EU is a trusted partner in this endeavour, building on its extensive trade and diplomatic connections with the region and its member states, as well as its significant stake in preserving regional stability.
In May 2022, the European Union published the EU Joint Communication on a 'Strategic Partnership with the Gulf', a blueprint on the future of the relations between the EU and the countries in the Gulf region.
The Joint Communication sets the vision for EU-GCC relations that aims to broaden and deepen the EU’s cooperation with the Gulf Cooperation Council and its Member States. It presents actionable proposals to strengthen cooperation and foster enhanced people-to-people exchanges.
In recent years, EU-GCC cooperation has grown stronger across a range of areas, including trade and investment, climate action and the transition to a green economy, energy security, global health, development and humanitarian aid, and the pursuit of peace and stability in the wider region.
The EU Outreach Facility for the GCC supports the advancement of the EU-GCC partnership by:
- Contributing to the design and implementation of country specific strategies and EU-GCC regional engagement strategies to accompany the roll out of the country national visions and the bilateral and regional Cooperation Arrangements;
- Supporting the provision of policy analysis and studies, which are gender and youth responsive where possible;
- Supporting regional and bilateral meetings, as required;
- Boosting outreach and exchange between governmental and non-governmental stakeholders from both regions;
- Designing communication campaigns in traditional and social media.
Examples of initiatives supported by the project include:
- The EU-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) High Level Forum on Regional Security and Cooperation: The Forum - chaired by the former HRVP Josep Borrell, with the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar as rotating presidency of the GCC and the Secretary General of the GCC – gathered EU Foreign Ministers and their counterparts from the GCC Member States, and the EU Special Representative for the Gulf region. It offered an occasion to enhance the political dialogue between the EU, the GCC and their member states, and to further strengthen coordination on issues related to regional and global stability and security. For more information, click here
- The first edition of the EU-GCC “Young Leaders in Regional Diplomacy” program to strengthen people-to-people contacts between the countries of Gulf Cooperation Council and the European Union.” For more information, click here
- The EU-Bahrain Conference “Broadening the Tent: Freedom of Religion and Belief” establishing links and better understanding on FORB between the two regions. For more information, click here
- The successful establishment of a Clinic on Green Jobs and The Youth Perspective in Oman promoting sustainable development in the country and empowering the next generation of leaders in sustainability. For more information, click here
- A five-day training workshop titled: "Museums and their Role in Our Societies", with the Saudi National Museum. This project gathered experts from the Egyptian Museum in the Italian city of Turin and the Museum of Contemporary Art Donnaregina in Naples and served to strengthen cultural ties. For more information, click here
- A series of women empowerment activities in Kuwait focusing on economic empowerment and promoting gender diversity in executive and board-level roles within leading private sector companies. For more information, click here
- The conceptualisation, planning, and coordination of a “Career Talks” series aimed at broadening career perspectives for young Emirati women by showcasing diverse professions, including non-traditional roles for women in the UAE. For more information, click here and here
- Project duration
- 30 Oct 2020 - 31 Dec 2025
- Project locations
- BahrainSaudi ArabiaKuwaitOmanQatarUnited Arab Emirates
- Overall budget
- €6 500 000
- EU contribution
- €6 500 000100% of the overall budget
- Area
- Global/Trans-regional
- Region
- Gulf countries
- Programme
- NDICI - Geographic Pillar
- Topic
- Work with industrialised countries