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Statement by Reinhold Lopatka following the first EU-Gulf Cooperation Council summit
Reinhold Lopatka (EPP, AT), Chair of the European Parliament’s Delegation for relations with the Arab Peninsula: „Turning point in the relations with GCC-Countries” / First Summit between European Union and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) / Big potential in boosting cooperation, from economy to security
"As Chair of the European Parliament's Delegation for Relations with the Arab Peninsula, I welcome the successful conclusion of the first EU-GCC Summit. I believe this Summit marks a pivotal moment in the relationship between the European Union and its partners from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), stressing our mutual commitment to strengthening ties across key strategic, economic, and cultural areas", said MEP Reinhold Lopatka after the EU-GCC Summit on Wednesday.
"This summit is a turning point for the relationship of our two regions and reflects the growing recognition of the mutual benefits and the great potential that come from wide-ranging cooperation between the EU and the GCC. From trade, energy policy and climate change, through innovation and culture, to security and fight against terrorism, the EU and the GCC countries are partners in addressing the challenges and opportunities of a rapidly evolving global scene", said Lopatka.
„Especially with a view on the difficult security situation in Eastern Europe and the Middle East, the GCC countries are valuable partners.", said Lopatka.
"The EU is the second most important trading partner for this economically enormously strong region, with a trade volume of 170 billion euros last year, and the trend showing upwards", explains Lopatka. The central project of the Gulf Cooperation Council and the EU has long been the negotiation of a free trade agreement, but despite repeated intensive efforts, the negotiations have not yet been successful. "The summit in Brussels can bring new momentum to strategic cooperation on economic issues", said Lopatka.
'The region is particularly interesting for Europe in the area of energy supply, where the focus is on liquefied natural gas (LNG) and increasingly on ever greener hydrogen. We absolutely need this in large quantities for the ecological transformation. In order to reduce their dependence on oil and gas, the Gulf states are building huge wind and solar power plants,' said Lopatka.
"I am confident that this summit has laid a strong foundation for future collaboration, based on trust, shared interests, and mutual respect and understanding. This is just the beginning of a new era in EU-GCC relations, one that will bring lasting benefits to both regions", said Lopatka.
Founded in 1981, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) comprises Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). They have a common internal market; coordinate their foreign and security policies and have agreed mutual assistance in defence. These are very similar elements to those enjoyed by the member states of the European Union.
Reinhold LOPATKA (EPP, Austria) was elected Chair of the Delegation for Relations with the Arab Peninsula (DARP) on 3 October 2024.
The Delegation for relations with the Arab Peninsula was newly constituted on 3 October 2024
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