EU, seeking allies, holds first summit with Gulf states
World
EU, seeking allies, holds first summit with Gulf states
BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Union held its first summit with the Gulf states on Wednesday, part of EU diplomatic courting ofless familiar friends as it seeks new economic allies and enlists international support to isolate Russia.
Its aim in meeting the six wealthy Arab states in the Gulf Cooperation Council was to deepen cooperation and recognise those countries' influence particularly in conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East.
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 in Saudi Arabia in 2026.
The EU partnership with Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates would seek to boost cooperation in clean tech, critical minerals needed in the green transition, renewable energy and hydrogen production.
Brussels had wanted the GCC partners to agree on strong language on Russia's military assault on Ukraine. The final statement affirmed the sovereignty of states, condemned attacks against civilians and critical infrastructure and deplored the "prolonged war".
