The 2024 summit between the European Union (EU) and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in Brussels was not just a diplomatic meeting; it represented a new chapter in global diplomacy and a vivid illustration of the concept of “strategic give and take.” At a time when geopolitics, energy needs, and trade deals intertwine with the complex issues of human rights and regional security, both blocs demonstrated a nuanced understanding of the give-and-take nature of modern international relations.
As Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia, once politically isolated after the Khashoggi incident, strode down the red carpet to meet European leaders, the message was clear: the world is rapidly changing, and pragmatic diplomacy is needed more than ever.
The Context: Diplomacy After the Pandemic and Amid Geopolitical Tensions
In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, global economies are recovering and re-aligning, but geopolitical tensions have grown more pronounced. The Russia-Ukraine war, U.S.-China tensions, and an increasingly volatile Middle East have all complicated the diplomatic landscape. For both the EU and the GCC, these summits offer a platform to discuss not just trade but broader security and political issues.
During the EU-GCC meeting, there were some obvious points of divergence. The EU wanted the GCC to adopt a harder stance against Russia, pushing for strong language condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. However, GCC states, particularly Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar, have worked hard to mediate the Russia-Ukraine conflict, notably through prisoner exchanges and negotiating the release of Ukrainian children. Although GCC countries expressed concern over the conflict, their primary focus remained on regional stability and economic concerns closer to home.
Give: Europe’s Energy Needs
A significant aspect of the strategic balance between the EU and GCC countries is energy security. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Europe has been racing to diversify its energy sources and reduce its reliance on Russian fuel. Gulf states, rich in oil and natural gas, have emerged as crucial partners in this regard. The summit in Brussels reiterated both blocs’ commitment to “intensifying” energy cooperation, with the EU keen to secure stable and long-term energy supplies from the Gulf.
This strategic “give” allows the GCC to secure its position as a global energy provider while gaining political capital with the European bloc. This mutual reliance highlights how critical energy has become in modern diplomacy, especially for the EU, which is seeking to transition towards cleaner energy sources while still relying heavily on traditional energy supplies in the interim.
Take: The EU’s Position on Russia and Ukraine
In contrast, the “take” from the EU’s side focused on pushing the GCC to adopt a stronger position against Russia’s actions in Ukraine. Europe hoped to insert more explicit language condemning Russia’s invasion into the summit’s joint statement. However, this was met with resistance from Gulf countries, who prefer a more neutral position, reflecting their economic and diplomatic ties with Russia.
Ultimately, a compromise was reached using language drawn from a 2022 UN resolution that deplored Russia’s actions, but it was far less specific than what the EU had initially wanted. This give-and-take demonstrated the limits of European influence in the Gulf, especially when Gulf nations are striving to maintain a balanced diplomatic approach between the West and Russia.
Human Rights Concerns: Strategic Blind Spot?
While energy and geopolitics dominated the summit’s official agenda, the presence of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was a subtle reminder of the West’s complicated stance on human rights. Since the assassination of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018, bin Salman’s reputation in the West has been marred, but his appearance at the EU-GCC summit signaled a shift in tone.
European leaders, under pressure from human rights groups, were conspicuously silent on the issue during the summit, focusing instead on the economic and geopolitical aspects of the relationship. This selective emphasis underscores the “give” in terms of diplomacy: Europe is willing to overlook certain human rights concerns in favor of energy security and political cooperation.
This approach did not go unnoticed. In his speech, Qatari leader Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani warned against “double standards” and the selective application of principles. This was a pointed reminder to the EU that while Gulf states are open to cooperation, they expect reciprocity and respect, especially on issues relating to their internal affairs and regional stability.
Middle East Security:
Another critical aspect of the summit was the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, particularly the Israeli-Palestinian situation and the broader issue of regional stability. The GCC pushed the EU to adopt stronger language criticizing Israel’s settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank. While the joint statement did condemn Israel’s actions and called for ceasefires in Gaza and Lebanon, Gulf leaders felt the language on Middle Eastern conflicts was softer than the wording on Ukraine, leading to disappointment from GCC representatives.
Here again, the principle of strategic give-and-take played out: Europe, needing Gulf cooperation on energy and broader geopolitical issues, conceded some ground on Middle Eastern language. However, the statement’s final form demonstrated the limitations of what the EU was willing to “give” in return for the strategic benefits it hoped to gain.
Trade: A Decades-Old Promise Resurfaces
One of the most tangible outcomes of the summit was the renewed commitment to pursue a bloc-to-bloc trade agreement between the EU and the GCC. The idea of a trade deal has been in the works for more than 30 years, but stalled in 2008. The Brussels summit revived the possibility, with both sides agreeing to “take forward” discussions on the matter.
While trade remains a key area of cooperation, there are tensions within the GCC itself about whether to pursue the deal as a unified bloc or to focus on bilateral agreements with individual European states. The outcome of these discussions could reshape the economic relationship between the two regions and further cement the strategic interdependence that is emerging between the EU and Gulf countries.
The Future of EU-GCC Relations
As the world continues to face evolving geopolitical challenges, the strategic give-and-take between the EU and the GCC will likely deepen. Energy security, regional stability, and global diplomacy are intertwined in ways that necessitate cooperation, even amid points of divergence such as human rights and approaches to conflicts like the one in Ukraine.
For Europe, Gulf states are indispensable partners in securing energy and maintaining a presence in the rapidly changing Middle East. For Gulf nations, Europe provides a counterbalance to other global powers and a potential market for diversified investments. This mutual dependence reflects a broader shift in international relations, where strategic concessions and diplomatic flexibility are the order of the day.
Strategic give and take
The 2024 EU-GCC summit embodied the concept of strategic give and take, with both sides making concessions in pursuit of broader diplomatic, economic, and security objectives. Whether dealing with the fallout from the Russia-Ukraine war, managing energy needs, or navigating the complexities of Middle East geopolitics, both blocs demonstrated that successful diplomacy often requires compromise. As the global balance of power continues to shift, this summit offers a model for how regional powers and international organizations can engage in a pragmatic and mutually beneficial manner.
References:
- DW News, “EU-GCC Summit Wrap-Up,” 2024.
- European Council on Foreign Relations, “EU-GCC Relations: Strategic Cooperation,” 2024.
- Global Times, “Gulf Diplomacy and the Energy Crisis,” 2024.
- Reuters, “Energy Cooperation Between the EU and Gulf States,” 2024.