The EU organizes its initial conferences with Gulf nations
The EU is hosting its inaugural meeting with six significant Gulf nations. The event in Brussels will feature the Emir of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, serving as the current leader of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)'s chair. Other GCC members include the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Kuwait.
The summit's primary objectives involve boosting collaboration, addressing the Middle East crisis, and addressing Russia's invasion of Ukraine. However, the preliminary negotiations on a joint statement have encountered difficulties. As per EU diplomats, the Gulf states, such as refusing to endorse a statement that merely advocates for a halt to supporting Russia. Instead, they argue that supplying weapons to all parties involved in the conflict should be ceased.
Numerous EU leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, have confirmed their participation in the summit, organized by Council President Charles Michel. Macron will also attend in place of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, attending the EU summit in Brussels on Thursday.
The Gulf States, specifically the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Kuwait, are among the six significant nations participating in the EU summit. Despite some challenges in drafting a joint statement due to differing stances on Russia's invasion of Ukraine, these Gulf States have expressed their concern about the supply of weapons to all parties involved in the conflict rather than just a halt to supporting Russia.
