The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, as well as several Member States’ foreign ministers, called on Monday 18 October for a strengthening of relations between the EU and the Gulf States.
Agreeing with ministers that the EU has “not paid much attention to the region”, the High Representative said that Europeans have an interest in closer relations with these countries. Swedish Deputy Minister Robert Rydberg called for a more active role for the EU in this “strategically important region”, including on the Iranian nuclear issue.
According to Mr Borrell, during his trip to the region at the end of September (see EUROPE 12802/13), his interlocutors wanted to see a greater EU presence.
The High Representative recalled that these countries play an important role on foreign policy issues such as Afghanistan and considered that the EU could accompany them in the green transition, climate, trade, and socioeconomic reforms, and can discuss issues of disagreement, including human rights.
For the Croatian minister, Gordan Grlić-Radman, the Europeans should explore ways to work even more closely with the countries of the region in different areas “from economy to security”. His Romanian counterpart, Bogdan Aurescu, highlighted maritime security and the fight against terrorism, and Slovenia’s Anže Logar emphasized ‘green’ issues and migration.
According to a draft of the European Commission’s work programme for 2022 obtained by EUROPE, the High Representative and the European Commission are expected to present a joint communication on a partnership with the Gulf in June. “The objective is to strengthen the partnership with the countries of the region and notably foster political dialogue, increase sectorial cooperation and in key areas of EU and mutual interests and in line with EU priorities, encourage intraregional dialogue and cooperation with a view of easing tensions in the region”, the draft says. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)