EU Outreach Facility for the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)

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.