Professor Jassim Mohamed El -Badawi, Secretary -General of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, participated today, Tuesday, in a session of unofficial deliberations of the European Union Security Policy Committee, at an official invitation from Ambassador Delphin Bronk, Chairman of the Political and Security Committee, Deputy Political Director of the European Agency (EEAS), and in the presence of members of the Political and Security Committee, which was held at the headquarters of the European Union in the Belgian capital Brussels.
At the beginning of his speech, the Secretary -General stated that this session represents a strengthening of relations between the Cooperation Council and the European Union, and comes as a continuation of the previous meeting in Riyadh at the General Secretariat of the Cooperation Council on November 25, 2024, to confirm our commitment to this growing strategic partnership, and that these dialogues will contribute to promoting peace and prosperity for both regions, where relations between the two sides have ever had ever, and are based on a strategic compatibility In diplomacy, security cooperation, and economic cooperation, His Excellency indicated that the last joint statement of the European Union -Brussels, October 2024) is a valuable testimony to these deep relations.
He called for continuing joint cooperation closely in resolving crises and preventing new crises, using the joint diplomatic impact to enhance dialogue at the expense of conflict, in addition to developing aspects of trade and investment, by benefiting from initiatives such as the joint work program between the Cooperation Council and the European Union to diversify our economies and create job opportunities for our youth, as well as intensify cooperation in energy security and climate work, where energy resources in the Cooperation Council and European Union technologies can Green to complete each other for a sustainable future, as it is important to activate cultural and educational cooperation that enriches our societies by learning from each other, and enhancing friendship links that make a solid partner.
He touched on the exemption of Schengen visas to citizens of the Cooperation Council states, as he stressed the need to achieve tangible progress in this field, and that the last joint statement of the summit of the European Cooperation Council states, stressed the commitment of the two parties to work towards “arranging a travel free of visas safe and beneficial to the two parties” between the Gulf Cooperation Council states and the European Schengen region, noting that this high political support reflects our common belief that facilitating travel is a “common interest” Completion of relevant standards, will enhance ties between peoples and will achieve great economic, cultural and educational benefits for both parties.
On the issue of negotiations for the free trade agreement between the two sides, the Secretary -General stated that one of the main components of the economic partnership is the continuous dialogue on the free trade agreement between the countries of the Cooperation Council and the European Union, and although the previous negotiations faced challenges, both parties realize the great benefits that will bring a comprehensive trade agreement, and accordingly, senior negotiators from the Cooperation Council and the European Union participated during the last period, in renewable discussions To test the situation and explore the practical ways to revive the negotiations, stressing that the Gulf region remains a commercial and investment partner for the European Union and vice versa.
The Secretary -General reviewed regional diplomatic relations and mediation in crises, noting that the European Cooperation Council and the Union have become close partners in resolving conflicts and humanitarian efforts.
The positions and views of the Council of the Council were also reviewed in many regional and international files and issues, foremost of which is the Palestinian issue and the tragic conditions in the Gaza Strip, appreciating the Secretary -General of the European Union’s initiative to organize the ninth conference in Brussels on Syria, and its success in mobilizing great international support, and providing great pledges to help the Syrians.
At the end of his speech, the Secretary -General renewed the assertion that the partnership between the Cooperation Council and the European Union is considered a pillar of stability, cooperation and joint prosperity, and that joint work must be continued to translate our common aspirations into concrete actions, and to ensure that our partnership not only meets the challenges of today, but also paves the way for a more stability and prosperity for the Gulf and Europe.
