West Asia ‘conflagration’ to top agenda at first European Union-Gulf summit

West Asia ‘conflagration’ to top agenda at first European Union-Gulf summit

Sub : IR

Sec : Places in news

Context:

• The European Union (EU) and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) leaders are set to convene in Brussels, focusing primarily on avoiding a broader conflict in West Asia.
• This summit will involve heads of state and government from six Gulf nations along with representatives from the 27 EU member states.

Agenda:

• While trade, energy, and climate change are on the agenda, the escalating conflicts involving Israel, particularly in Gaza and Lebanon, are expected to dominate discussions.
• EU officials have indicated that preventing a larger regional conflict is a primary concern.
• Both the EU and GCC countries share a mutual interest in de-escalation and the establishment of peace in the region. The EU has called for a ceasefire in Lebanon and Gaza.

Changing alliances:

• Traditionally aligned with Western powers, the Gulf monarchies have recently grown closer to Iran.
• The GCC nations have consistently advocated for the establishment of a Palestinian state alongside Israel and have been involved in negotiations to secure ceasefires.

Trade relations:

• The European Union is seeking to foster closer ties with GCC countries.
• Although the EU is the GCC’s second-largest trading partner, discussions surrounding a potential trade pact have stalled.

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC):

• The GCC is a political and economic alliance of six countries in the Arabian Peninsula: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
• Established in 1981, the GCC promotes economic, security, cultural and social cooperation between the six states and holds a summit every year to discuss cooperation and regional affairs.