27/08/2024 (Agence Europe) – The President of the European Council, Charles Michel, is visiting the Gulf region, travelling to Doha and Riyadh, from Tuesday 27 to Thursday 29 August to hold consultations ahead of the first-ever summit between the EU and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), to be held in Brussels on 16 October. Discussions will also focus on global crises (Middle East and the war in Ukraine) and on “relevant aspects” of bilateral cooperation, according to a European Council press release. Mr Michel will meet the Qatari and Saudi leaders and the Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council. “EU-GCC Summit will be an opportunity for the Leaders of the EU and the Gulf Cooperation Council to confirm their joint commitment to work together in many spheres of their cooperation to further build a partnership based on sustainable prosperity and stability for both sides”, according to the European Council. (CG)