Brussels: President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen has declared the commencement of a new phase in the strategic partnership between the European Union and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), marking a significant step in intertwining the security and prosperity of both regions. According to Saudi Press Agency, in her address at the opening of the first summit between the GCC and the European Union in Brussels, von der Leyen highlighted the historic nature of the summit, which she said demonstrates the mutual recognition of each other as strategic partners committed to forging a shared future. She emphasized that economic growth is contingent upon security and pointed out the impacts of the Middle East situation and the Russia-Ukraine conflict on both regions. Further elaborating on the regional conflicts, von der Leyen urged for diplomatic actions to de-escalate tensions in the Middle East, specifically calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon to protect civilian lives. She a ffirmed, "Only diplomacy can create a sustainable path to security," and reiterated the European Union's dedication to supporting peace initiatives and achieving a two-state solution. The President also discussed the critical role of sustainable resource use in achieving shared environmental goals. She assured that both the European Union and the GCC are committed partners in the green transition, emphasizing their progress in diversifying energy sources and the importance of advanced technologies in supporting clean technology. Highlighting the energy partnership, von der Leyen described it as pivotal to ushering in a "new era," noting the potential of the Gulf region to become a significant hub for clean energy that could connect Europe, Asia, and Africa. She described the cooperation in trade and investment as the "backbone" of their partnership and stressed the need for strategic links in energy, trade, innovation, and technology, including artificial intelligence, to address common challenges.
