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The summit was a EU diplomatic charming offensive to win over future partners as it seeks new economic allies and international support to isolate Russia.
The EU wants to deepen cooperation with the six rich Arab states in the Gulf Cooperation Council – Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
The European bloc also recognized, through this summit, these countries’ influence in the Middle East but also their indirect relevance to the conflict in Ukraine.
In a joint statement at the end of the summit, the two sides said they would revive talks launched 35 years ago on a free trade agreement but suspended in 2008.
They will also hold biennial summits, the next one to take place in Saudi Arabia in 2026.
The two sides intend to increase cooperation in clean tech, critical minerals for the green transition, renewable energy and hydrogen production.
According to European sources, the EU had wanted the Arab partners to agree on strong language on Russia’s military assault on Ukraine but the final statement affirmed the sovereignty of states, condemned attacks against civilians and critical infrastructure and deplored the “prolonged war”.
Russia was only mentioned in a reference to a United Nations resolution criticizing Russian aggression and a demand for withdrawal its forces from Ukraine.
On the Middle East, the statement expressed “utmost concern” over developments in Israel, Gaza and Lebanon, called for an immediate ceasefire and urged all parties to comply with their obligations under international law.
1st European Union-Gulf Cooperation Council Summit
Joint Statement:
- We, the Heads of State and Government of the Member States of the European Union
(EU) and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) held our first Summit on 16 October 2024
in Brussels, Belgium, under the theme “Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity”
to celebrate the deepening partnership between the two blocs, co-chaired by H.E.
Charles Michel, President of the European Council and H.H. Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al
Thani, Amir of the State of Qatar as rotating President of the Gulf Cooperation Council,
in the presence of H.E. Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission,
and, H.E. Jasem Al Budaiwi, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council and H.E.
Josep Borrell Fontelles, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security
Policy. - Recognising the growing political EU-GCC ties and challenges to regional and
international peace, security and stability, we commit to our EU-GCC Strategic
Partnership and pledge to elevate it to the next level. We agree to build our Strategic
Partnership, based on mutual respect and trust, for the benefit of the people of our
regions and beyond. Through thisspecial Partnership, we will work together to promote
global and regional security and prosperity, including preventing the emergence and
escalation of conflicts and resolving crises by enhancing our dialogue, coordination and
engagement. - Our Strategic Partnership aims to be the motor in promoting our common objectives as
close partners, anchored in respect for an international rules-based order fully
respecting international law, including the United Nations (UN) Charter, international
humanitarian law and the promotion and protection of universal human rights. We
acknowledge the need to support multilateralism and the importance of sustainable
development and prosperity. - Our solid political dialogue in several key policy and sectoral priorities confirms our
common interests and level of ambition. The extensive preparatory work through our
numerous joint dialogues on geopolitical developments and regional security,
macroeconomics, connectivity, trade and investment, the business environment,
research and innovation, development cooperation and humanitarian coordination
have significantly reinforced our partnership, mutual understanding, and directly
supported the preparation for this Summit. We welcome the “EU Joint Communication
for a Strategic Partnership” adopted in May 2022 and we confirm our strong mutual
commitment towards strengthening our Strategic Partnership in line with the Joint
Action Programme 2022-2027. We welcome the outcome of the Joint Council and
Ministerial Meeting in October 2023 in Muscat, Oman. We will also further enhance our
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dialogue and cooperation on security, including the countering of emerging threats
through the definition and implementation of joint priorities and coordinated initiatives. - In this spirit, the EU and GCC will engage in fostering multilateral, regional, bilateral
frameworks with a view to further strengthening bilateral and regional cooperation. - We agree to continue our dialogue on a regular basis by holding a summit every two
years and look forward to holding the next Summit in Saudi Arabia in 2026. - We agree to hold the 29th Joint Council and Ministerial Meeting in the State of Kuwait
in 2025.
I. Partnership for sustainable prosperity and security
A. Increasing trade, investment and economic cooperation: - We reconfirm our shared interest to have a thriving and mutually favourable trade and
investment relationship that must be developed, as appropriate, through multilateral,
regional, and bilateral frameworks. - We reaffirm our joint commitment to a strategic trade and investment partnership,
between parties sharing mutual interests and ambition, tapping into the opportunities
offered by an enhanced business and investment environment, the green and digital
transitions, sustainable energy, connectivity, and advancing on sectoral cooperation in
areas contributing to the goal of enhanced economic integration and diversification of
our respective economies. - We will aim to take forward our discussions at regional level with a view to reach a
regional GCC-EU Free Trade Agreement, including an investment chapter. In light of the
cooperation arrangements signed between EU and GCC countries, we will continue to
explore tailor-made agreements supporting trade and investments. - We commit to advancing our EU-GCC Trade and Investment Dialogue and further
enhancing joint investments to enable cooperation on trade, facilitating regulatory
cooperation and harmonisation of standards, strengthening dialogue on restrictive
measures and their implementation and increase the protection of intellectual property
rights including geographical indications. - We recognise that the future of our economies depends on their ability to become more
circular, cleaner, more resilient against disruptions in supply chains and more diverse in
value producing sectors. Therefore, we will aim to advance resilient, sustainable, global
value chains, and secure resilient energy supply chains including on clean technologies,
raw materials and critical minerals. We also confirm our common interest in a stable and
structured framework for the EU-GCC interaction on multilateral trade policy agendas.
In this respect, we underline the importance of our cooperation within the World Trade
Organization (WTO), which is essential to contribute to a fully functioning dispute
settlement mechanism, in order to strengthen the multilateral trading system.
3 - We will explore cooperation opportunities in various fields, such as fintech, digital
transformation and health by exploring joint research and development in major fields,
including in the event of pandemics. - We will continue working together to foster business cooperation and explore ways to
enhance market access conditions and supporting investment-inducing policies as well
as by jointly supporting the creation of bodies of European and Gulf business
representatives in the countries of both regions and by holding targeted events such as
the EU-GCC Business Forum in November 2024 in Doha, Qatar. We will strive to foster
investment events such as investment forums, round table discussions and workshops
for the private sector.
B. Enhancing energy cooperation and the fight against climate change - We commit to intensifying our energy cooperation, through the long-standing GCC-EU
Energy Experts Group and other formats, to explore greater cooperation on energy
security, including energy efficiency and renewable energies. We underline the
importance of EU-OPEC dialogue, notably to discuss energy security, energy transition,
and just transition issues. We recognise the strategic importance of our cooperation on
stable, reliable, and sustainable energy markets to reduce volatility and to enhance the
security of energy supply. We recall the urgent need to address climate change and
stress the importance of the energy transition. - We join our efforts to create sustainable and diversified economies that benefit our
populations and contribute to global climate action, in line with the Paris Agreement
and respective national circumstances and obligations. We will increase our
collaboration on renewable energy and hydrogen, energy efficiency, renewable
electricity and abatement and removal technologies such as carbon capture and
utilisation and storage, and will also assess prospects for joint connectivity. We will also
combine our strengths in innovation, as with regards to zero and low emission
technologies and critical energy transition minerals. - We reiterate our respective commitments to scale up urgent action to address the crises
and challenges posed by climate change, biodiversity loss, desertification, ocean and
land degradation, drought and pollution. We welcome the outcomes of COP28 in the
UAE and stress the need to ensure the implementation of the UAE consensus with
ambitious efforts on climate change adaptation and mitigation and stress the
importance of international cooperation in this regard. We look forward to successful
outcomes at the upcoming COP29, with a decision on a climate finance that takes into
account the needs and priorities of developing countries and is in line with the UNFCCC
and Paris Agreement goals. We emphasise the importance of pursuing efforts to limiting
1.5 °C temperature increase and ensuring that our next Nationally Determined
Contributions (NDCs) reflect progression, ambition and different national
circumstances, priorities and approaches. We welcome the upcoming UN Water
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Conference in the UAE in 2026 to accelerate the implementation of SDG6 on clean water
and sanitation. - We reaffirm commitment to the full and effective implementation of the Kunming
Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KM-GBF), with further decisions to be adopted
at CBD COP16 on outstanding issues, and advocate for meaningful outcomes enhancing
action to address desertification, land degradation and drought at UNCCD COP16,
hosted by Saudi Arabia in December 2024. - We acknowledge the need to enhance our collective efforts to end plastic pollution and
work together for an ambitious, fair and transparent international instrument on plastic
pollution based on a comprehensive approach in line with the mandate of UNEA
resolution 5/14. We will engage actively and constructively in the spirit of collaboration
and consensus-building at the INC5 session in the Republic of Korea.
C. Strengthening connectivity between our regions - We agree on the need to explore cooperation in telecommunication, advanced
technologies, digital economy, innovation and space, to create a better digital world for
future generations, encourage initiatives related to the exchange of knowledge and
advanced technologies. - We will strengthen cooperation to underpin investment and trade in zero and low
emission and clean technologies and their components, and work to diversify and secure
supply chains globally in line with international best practices, including for critical
energy transition minerals, and encourage resource efficiency. We will continue
cooperation on energy efficiency and on ensuring stability, security and affordability of
global sustainable energy markets. - We will cooperate to promote sustainable transport, as well as high quality, reliable,
sustainable and climate resilient infrastructure, including regional and cross-border
infrastructure, in line with relevant international standards and principles. We aim to
explore further cooperation in the relevant areas of transport policy, including
integrated transport policy covering rail, maritime, and aviation. - We will promote cooperation in appropriate international transport fora aimed at
ensuring enforcement of international conventions and regulations. - We agree on the importance of strengthening connectivity between our regions and will
explore practical means to step-up cooperation in this area, notably with regard to
energy grids and hydrogen transportation, as well as the digital sphere, especially data
cables. - Taking into account the potential of digital technologies and artificial intelligence in
accelerating sustainable development, we resolve to identify pathways to jointly
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promote digital transformation, while at the same time promote convergence of
international standards in the digital domain. - We will step-up cooperation between our two regions to foster sustainable investments
in geographical and thematic areas of mutual interest, including through joint ventures
and frameworks. We emphasise equitable partnerships that respect each region’s
economic circumstances and ensure fair distribution of responsibilities and benefits. We
expressed readiness to explore cooperation on the India-Middle East-Europe Economic
Corridor (IMEC) and the EU framework of Global Gateway.
D. Stepping-up engagement on development and humanitarian aid - We welcome the commitments of the EU-GCC Joint Council on humanitarian aid and
endorse the way forward for enhanced joint advocacy at international, regional and
local levels to ensuring humanitarian access and promoting respect for international
humanitarian law, exploring parallel funding in response to crises where both parties
share common concerns, as appropriate, and a structured cooperation and coordination
mechanism on disaster response between the EU Emergency Response Coordination
Centre (ERCC) and the GCC Emergency Management Centre, with the mutually
beneficial use of national expertise in this field. We highlight the importance of
safeguarding the humanitarian space, protection of civilians, healthcare and respect for
International Humanitarian Law in all contexts. - We will strive to cooperate on global issues and the follow-up of the Summit of the
Future and work towards a successful outcome of COP29 and COP30. We will explore
ways to coordinate towards achieving impactful outcomes at the 4th International
Conference on Financing for Development and the 2nd World Summit on Social
Development, to be respectively held in Spain and Qatar in 2025. We commit to
enhanced collaboration in the context of accelerating the full implementation of the UN
2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Sustainable Development Goals. We
support UN efforts in helping shape a multilateral system designed to deliver more fairly
and effectively for all.
E. Reinforcing joint efforts to address key global issues - In light of the serious escalation and ongoing war in the Middle East and in Europe, we
confirm our strategic engagement to work towards enhancing security and deescalation for the benefit of both regions. In this light, we welcome the launch of the
EU-GCC Regional Security Dialogue in January 2024 and note the progress made in
developing joint approaches towards global and regional security challenges and
deepening security cooperation, including on counter-terrorism, maritime security,
cyber issues, non-proliferation, as disaster preparedness and emergency management
as well as peacebuilding efforts such as mediation and negotiation.
6 - We will cooperate in fighting organised crime, including the fight against migrant
smuggling and human trafficking with a view to effectively disrupt, pursue and
prosecute these illegal activities through enhanced cooperation at international level. - We welcome the results of the ministerial High-Level Forum on Regional Security and
Cooperation on 22 April 2024 in Luxembourg and agree to hold a new edition of this
format in 2025, followed by further yearly iterations to continue developing our joint
work. - We welcome the GCC’s Vision for Regional Security and recognize that GCC states play
a fundamental role in dispute mediation and resolution to preserve peace and security
regionally and across the globe. - We undertake to strengthen our cooperation on combating money laundering and
countering the financing of terrorism, including in the context of the Financial Action
Task Force (FATF) and FATF-Style Regional Bodies. We reconfirm our joint efforts to
tackle the threats presented by organised crime, and address challenges, taking into
account respective legal frameworks, as well as exploring ways to enhance judicial and
law enforcement cooperation through relevant EU and GCC bodies and complementing
bilateral cooperation.
F. Building bridges between people - In line with legal requirements in both regions, we reaffirm our commitment to
continue efforts to enhance our people- to- people contacts by continuing to work
together on practical and constructive steps towards a safe and mutually beneficial visafree travel arrangement between the EU/Schengen and the GCC countries. - We commend our already rich and vigorous people-to-people contacts, which should
continue to be at the heart of the EU-GCC partnership. To this end, we will work for a
deeper engagement of GCC academia and students in the Erasmus+ and partnering
through Horizon Europe programmes. We will encourage more administrative and
financial support instruments that can enhance people-to-people contacts and
institutional cooperation in the fields of youth, sport, culture, (non-higher) education,
and interregional cultural relations in the creative industries. - We further commit to enhance our partnership to jointly address hate speech,
extremism and racism and promote tolerance, interreligious and intercultural dialogue,
in line with the provisions of Security Council resolution 2686. Reiterating our
commitment to ensure the respect, protection and promotion of universal human
rights, we will continue and deepen our Human Rights Dialogues as a key element of
our cooperation and stress the importance of relevant UN human rights treaties and
mechanisms.
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II. Partnership for long-lasting stability and peace
A. Ukraine - We reaffirm our respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of States, and their
commitment to the fundamental principles of the UN Charter, International Law and
international humanitarian Law. In line with the UN Charter, all states must refrain from
the threat or use of force to seek territorial acquisition against the territorial integrity
and sovereignty or political independence of any state. We stress the importance of
supporting all efforts to facilitate the export of grains and all food and humanitarian
supplies to contribute to achieving food security for the affected countries. - We welcome mediation efforts by the GCC countries on humanitarian issues, such as
exchange of prisoners of war and reunification of families, as well hosting of national
security advisors meeting, including in Copenhagen and Jeddah, and we recognize the
efforts of the EU and Switzerland in contributing to just and lasting peace in Ukraine. - We recall the UN General Assembly Resolution ES-11/1, which “deplores in the
strongest terms the aggression by the Russian Federation against Ukraine in violation of
Article 2 (4) of the Charter” and “demands that the Russian Federation immediately,
completely and unconditionally withdraw all of its military forces from the territory of
Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders”. In line with the resolutions
adopted at the UN General Assembly ES-11/1, ES-11/2, ES 11/4 and ES-11/6, we
underscore the need to reach, as soon as possible, a comprehensive, just and lasting
peace in Ukraine in line with the principles of the Charter of the United Nations. We
reaffirm our commitment to the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial
integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders, extending to its
territorial waters. - We condemn attacks against civilians and civilian and critical infrastructure, especially
in the energy sector that inter alia increases risks for nuclear safety. We will and call on
all partners to intensify the provision of humanitarian and civil protection assistance,
and support for the energy infrastructures, including equipment such as power
generators and power transformers. The safety and security of all nuclear power plants
is essential. In this regard, we call for continued support of the important work of the
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). - We deplore that this prolonged war is causing immense human suffering and
exacerbating existing fragilities in the global economy. We also commit to build support
for pathways towards a framework for a comprehensive, just and lasting peace, based
on international law, including the United Nations Charter.
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B. Israel, Gaza and the West Bank - In line with the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions, including most recently 2712
(2023), 2720 (2023), 2728 (2024) and 2735 (2024) we express our utmost concern over
developments in Israel, Gaza and the West Bank. - We call for the full implementation of UNSCR 2735, including an immediate, full and
complete ceasefire, the release of hostages, the exchange of the Palestinian prisoners
as well as immediate and unimpeded humanitarian access to civilian population,
including the safe and effective distribution of humanitarian assistance at scale
throughout the Gaza strip to all Palestinian civilians who need it. We support the leaders
of the United States, Egypt and Qatar in their efforts. - We call on all parties to comply with their obligations under international law, including
international humanitarian law and the implementation of International Court of Justice
orders notably with regard to the protection of civilians, especially children. We
condemn attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure. We urge all parties to allow,
facilitate and enable the full, rapid, safe and unhindered delivery of expanded
humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian civilian population throughout the Gaza Strip,
we stress the need for the prompt and unconditional provision of humanitarian aid
through opening all crossings in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution (2735),
supporting the works of UNRWA and other UN agencies. We underscore the essential
services provided by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees
in the Near East (UNRWA) in Gaza and across the region. - We reaffirm our unwavering commitment to the realization of the right of the
Palestinian people to self-determination through the Two-State solution where Israel
and Palestine live side by side in peace within secure and recognized borders, along the
1967 lines, consistent with international law and relevant UN resolutions and the 2002
Arab Peace Initiative. We will continue to work together towards reviving a political
process to this end, including by supporting the Palestinian Authority in its reform plans.
Actions weakening the Palestinian Authority must stop. - We are concerned about increasing tensions in the region and urge all parties to exercise
restraint, prevent further escalation and engage in international diplomatic efforts to
end the current destructive cycle of violence. - We are deeply concerned by the military operations in the West Bank which have led
to a high number of civilian casualties and destruction of civilian infrastructure, and call
for their immediate end. We strongly condemn the ongoing extremist settler violence in
the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. We condemn the Israeli government’s
decisions to further expand settlements and legalise settler outposts across the
occupied West Bank and urge Israel to reverse these decisions. We urge to immediately
cease all unilateral measures that undermine prospects for peace including settlement
activities, land confiscation, displacement of Palestinians, and violations of international
law. We condemn all forms of violence, incitements of it, and terrorism. We underline
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the importance of preserving the historical Status Quo in Jerusalem and its holy sites,
recognizing the special role of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan in this regard. - We deplore all loss of civilian life , in particular children, as well as the catastrophic levels
of hunger and imminent risk of famine, caused by the insufficient entry and distribution
of delivered aid into Gaza. We strongly condemn attacks against civilians and
humanitarian workers, whose safety must be ensured. - We welcome the formation of the Global Alliance for the Implementation of the TwoState Solution, announced by Saudi Arabia, the EU and Norway, on September 26, 2024
in New York. We also support the initiative by Saudi Arabia, the EU, the League of Arab
States, Egypt and Jordan to revive the Middle East peace process launched in September
2023 in New York and welcome the Bahrain Declaration’s call in May 2024 for an
international peace conference in the near future.
C. Lebanon - We are extremely concerned by the dangerous escalation in Lebanon, affirm our support
for the Lebanese people, and call for an immediate ceasefire. We call on intensifying
international and regional efforts to provide urgent humanitarian aid to Lebanon to
alleviate the suffering of civilians and protect them from any war repercussions. We also
call for restraint and de-escalation and preventing the expansion of the conflict to the
wider region. We stress the need to implement Security Council Resolution 1701 and
other relevant international resolutions and the Taif Agreement to restore lasting
security and stability in Lebanon and ensure respect for its territorial integrity,
independence and sovereignty within its internationally recognized borders. We
recognize the essential stabilizing role played by the Lebanese Armed Forces and UN
interim force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in mitigating risk of escalation. We condemn all attacks
against UN missions and express particularly grave concerns regarding the recent attack
against UNIFIL. - We support the efforts of the Quintet on Lebanon, which stressed the importance of
accelerating presidential elections, restoring the Lebanese government’s authority
throughout the country and implementing the economic reforms. We support efforts to
reintegrate Lebanon in the region, including initiatives to rebuild confidence and
cooperation with Lebanon.
D. Iran - We emphasize the importance of adherence to international law, including the UN
Charter, based on respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity, non-interference in
internal affairs, and refraining from the use of force or threats. We underscore the
importance of diplomatic engagement with Iran –– to pursue regional de-escalation. We
stress the importance of ensuring the peaceful nature of the Iranian nuclear program,
and ceasing of proliferation of ballistic missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles and any
technologies that threaten the security of both our regions and beyond as well as
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undermine international peace and security in violation of relevant UN laws and
resolutions. We express shared interest in a close EU-GCC dialogue on these issues. We
call on Iran to pursue regional de-escalation. We remain committed to a diplomatic
solution to the Iranian nuclear issue. We regret that Iran’s unabated nuclear advances
over the last five years have made a return to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action
(JCPOA) increasingly difficult. We urge Iran to implement all its safeguards obligations
under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and return to the implementation of the
Addition Protocol. We share a clear determination that Iran must never develop or
acquire a nuclear weapon. We reaffirm the importance of the UNSC Resolution 2231,
and our lasting commitment to ensure that the Gulf and wider region remains free of
nuclear weapons. We emphasize the importance of adherence to international law,
including the UN Charter, based on respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity, noninterference in internal affairs, and refraining from the use of force or threats. - In this respect, we call on Iran to end its occupation of the three islands of the United
Arab Emirates, Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb, and Abu Musa, which constitutes a violation
of the sovereignty of the UAE and the principles of the Charter of the UN.
E. Red Sea - In line with the UN Security Council Resolution 2722 (2024), we reaffirm our
commitment to ensuring the freedom of navigation and maritime security in the Red
Sea, which are fundamental for global trade and the free movement of essential
commodities, including the delivery of humanitarian assistance to the population of
Yemen, and safe passage through those shipping lanes. We express deep concern about
the threat to security and navigation in the Red Sea in line with United Nation Security
Council (UNSC) Resolution 2722 and in accordance with international law. We demand
that the Houthis halt attacks against vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, release
crew and avoid any further escalatory measures that threaten global security and
stability. We appreciate regional efforts, those of the Combined Maritime Forces, the
EU defensive Operation EUNAVFOR ASPIDES and others, with the aim of safeguarding
freedom of navigation in the international waters in the Red Sea. We welcome the
efforts to contain any environmental effects following the attacks by the Houthis on the
Greek oil tanker Sounion. Emphasising the importance of political solution, we aim to
develop a joint GCC-EU approach to maritime security in the context of the EU
Structured Security Dialogue to address relevant issues in the Red Sea.
F. Yemen - We support peaceful, inclusive, orderly and Yemeni-led political process under UN
auspices (UN SC Resolution 2216) to end the conflict. We call on the parties, especially
on the Houthis, to engage meaningfully with the UN Special Envoy Hans Grundberg and
to return to the negotiations table in order to achieve a sustainable peace in Yemen. We
demand that the Houthis cease their bellicose rhetoric and action, threatening the
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return of warfare. We call for the immediate and unconditional release of the
humanitarian workers, UN and diplomatic staff detained by the Houthis, severely
hampering the capacity of international community to help the millions of Yemenis in
urgent need of assistance. We express deep concern for the humanitarian condition of
the Yemeni civilian population and call for cessation of all restrictions and interference
to safe, rapid and unimpeded access of humanitarian aid to all those in need in the
country. We condemn all forms of sexual and gender-based violence, including sexual
violence in conflict and torture. - We commend the efforts of Saudi Arabia, Oman and the United Nations to reach a
comprehensive, inclusive and sustainable political solution, stressing the necessity of a
ceasefire.
G. Iraq - We continue to closely follow the issue of maritime border between Iraq and Kuwait.
Solving the remaining outstanding issues between the two neighbouring countries
according to International Law would contribute positively to regional stability and
cooperation. We highlight the importance of Iraq’s commitment to Kuwait’s sovereignty
and territorial integrity and respect for bilateral agreements, international conventions
and relevant UN resolutions, especially UNSC Resolution 833.We call for the complete
demarcation of the Kuwait-Iraq maritime boundary beyond boundary point 162. We
stress the importance of the full implementation of the 2012 Kuwait-Iraq Agreement to
regulate maritime navigation in Khor Abdullah, signed on April 29, 2012, entered into
force on December 5, 2013 and jointly deposited at the United Nations on December
18, 2013, and call for the resumption of meetings of the Joint Committee for Regulating
Maritime Navigation in Khor Abdullah. - We renew our support for UNSC Resolution 2107 (2013) which instructed the UN
Secretary-General’s special envoy and UN Mission to Iraq (UNAMI) to enhance efforts
regarding the repatriation of all Kuwaitis and third country nationals, including missing
persons or their remains, under the auspices of the ICRC, and return Kuwaiti property,
including national archives. We call on Iraq and the UN to exert maximum efforts to
reach a resolution of all the issues involved. - We express support for full implementation of the UNSC Resolution 2732 (2024) and UN
Security Council continued oversight of the matter.
H. Syria - We reaffirm our commitment to an inclusive political solution that preserves Syria’s
unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity, in line with the UNSC Resolution 2254 and
relevant United Nations resolutions. To that end, the EU and the GCC reiterate their
support to the efforts led by the UN Special Envoy Geir Pedersen and urge a redoubling
of efforts for the urgent resumption of the constitutional committee as well as other key
areas, such as addressing missing persons and the need to create secure conditions for
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the safe, dignified, and voluntary return of Syrian refugees and internally displaced
persons consistent with UN standards and providing the necessary support to them and
host communities. We call for coordinated action to combat the production and
trafficking of drugs from Syria.
I. Sudan - We reaffirm our utmost concern with regard to the devastating conflict and
humanitarian catastrophe in Sudan, including the imminent risk of famine. We
underscore the importance of returning to a political process leading to civilian rule and
the need to avoid a spill-over of the conflict into neighbouring countries which would
further exacerbate the existing toll on human lives and development and urge the
Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces to engage seriously and
effectively with crisis resolution initiatives, including the Jeddah platform. We stress
there can be no military solution to the conflict in Sudan and reiterate our strong support
for lasting peace and justice in Sudan. These can only be achieved via de-escalation, an
immediate and permanent a cessation of hostilities and dialogue, and putting an end to
the ongoing humanitarian crisis. We will work jointly to provide full support to ongoing
mediation and humanitarian efforts, including to secure humanitarian access and
protection in accordance with international law. - We stress the importance of Sudan’s two parties’ commitment in accordance with the
Jeddah Declaration of 11 May 2023, to protecting civilians, providing humanitarian
assistance according to international humanitarian law and human rights law, putting
an end to the conflict and returning to the political process. We also stress that the
solution to the crisis can only be achieved through a political solution that respects the
sovereignty and unity of Sudan and preserves its state institutions.
J. Somalia - We express our concern about the current the situation in Somalia. We are fully
determined to support Somalia in the post-ATMIS era. We are fully aware that the
international support requires close coordination in the peace process and humanitarian
assistance. We are committed to work closely to provide a satisfying and long-lasting
solution for Somalia. - We affirm support for Security Council Resolution 2748, which stresses full respect for
the sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of Somalia, and the need
for a comprehensive approach that enhances the fundamentals of peace and stability,
in line with the priorities set by the Government of Somalia.
Carmen Gavrila is senior foreign affairs correspondent for Radio Romania and has been covering European Foreign policy, migration and security issues
