EC welcomes Council decision to launch negotiations with the six GCC countries

July 28,2025

The European Commission and the High Representative have welcomed the Council’s decision authorising them to enter into negotiations with each of the six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries – Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates with the aim of concluding bilateral Strategic Partnership Agreements (SPAs).

In a press release, the Commission says that the aim of the SPAs is to provide for an ambitious, modern, comprehensive and effective framework for bilateral cooperation tailored to the shared priorities and objectives of the EU and each respective GCC partner.

This is in line with the efforts to enhance our relations with GCC partners set out in the 2022 Joint Communication on a Strategic Partnership with the Gulf and the October 2024 EU–GCC Summit in Brussels, it adds.

The negotiation frameworks cover a wide range of topics, including foreign and security policy, justice and law enforcement, trade and investment, energy and climate, digital transformation, environment, connectivity, education, research and innovation, culture, and enhanced people-to-people contacts.