Pedro Sánchez calls for cooperation between Arabs and Europeans to tackle global challenges

Brussels (Belgium)

Pedro Sánchez has taken part in the first EU-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) summit held in Brussels to promote closer relations with these countries, who are strategic partners in the current difficult geopolitical situation.

The summit took place in a particularly sensitive context due to the situation in the Middle East, which particularly affects the GCC countries. Under the theme "Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity", the event recognises the role the Gulf States play in two key neighbourhoods for the EU (the Middle East and North Africa), as well as their growing importance in terms of economic security.

During the meeting, the President of the Government stressed that the principles and values of the UN Charter and respect for international law should be the common lines guiding relations between the two regions. He thereby called once again for a political solution, a ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon, an end to violence in the West Bank, guaranteed humanitarian access for the civilian population, the immediate release of all hostages held by Hamas, and for the international community to suspend arms deliveries to Israel. "At the moment, the urgent thing is to stop the conflict," he said.

In this regard, he called for restraint on the part of the parties involved to avoid a spill-over of the conflict leading to a scenario of open war on a regional scale. Only through the implementation of the two-state solution will a sustainable and lasting regional peace be achieved, he stated, adding that it is vital to unite the efforts of the EU and the Gulf Cooperation Council to hold an International Peace Conference.

Family photo of the first EU-Gulf Cooperation Council Summit | Pool Moncloa / Borja Puig de la Bellacasa

In the same terms, the president expressed his views on Russia's aggression in Ukraine. Respect for international law must also apply in a war that involves a flagrant violation of the most basic rules of international law by Russia. In this respect, and in all other areas, the EU-GCC partnership plays a central role.

EU-GCC Strategic Partnership

Cooperation on issues such as trade and the fight against climate change, in which the Gulf countries play a key role, are essential for the EU's economic security and for strengthening its strategic autonomy. The President of the Government stressed that this relationship is precisely an example of how trade openness and the construction of partnerships contribute to diversifying dependencies and reducing vulnerabilities.

Pedro Sánchez has advocated strengthening these trade ties and advancing a paradigm of economic security that does not lead to a protectionist policy. It is therefore necessary to do so from a regional approach that allows all countries in the region to move forward. In this respect, he reaffirmed Spain's commitment to contribute to this development.

In this context, an important aspect of the relationship, guided by addressing common challenges, is the fight against the climate emergency as global challenge that both EU and GCC states must address with determination.

The EU-GCC joint communiqué includes a commitment to deepen the strategic partnership and take it to the next level, in line with the Joint Action Plan 2022-2027, on trade, political, energy and climate issues.

Bilateral meetings

The president held two bilateral meetings in the margins of the summit. For the first time, he met with the Prime Minister of Kuwait, Ahmad al-Abdullah, with whom he reviewed the main issues of interest in relations between the two countries. They also discussed Kuwait's priorities as the next rotating chair of the Gulf Cooperation Council. The two leaders shared the conviction that Arabs and Europeans must work together for peace, defending the values and principles of a rules-based international order.

Meeting between the President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, and the Prime Minister of Kuwait, Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah | Consejo Europeo y Pool Moncloa/Borja Puig de la Bellacasa

The second meeting was with the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed Bin Salman. The president thanked his country for its mediation efforts to achieve a future of peace and stability in the region, as well as for the shared will to put an end to the violence and make the two-state solution a reality.

Non official translation