EU trade relations with the Gulf region. Facts, figures and latest developments.

Policy background, funding, agreements, projects and results, and documents.

Overview of the EU's agricultural trade with Middle East and Gulf regions.

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Dialogue and Cooperation has been intensifying over the years and is based on mutual interest to foster relations in all political domains.

The relations between the EU and Kuwait have been historically strong. Our bilateral relations have witnessed a major boost in recent times. Kuwait was the first country in the Gulf to sign a Cooperation Arrangement with the European External Action Service (EEAS) in July 2016. The Cooperation Arrangement provides a platform for regular political consultations covering common regional challenges in the Middle East and beyond. It also provides for sectoral consultations in the fields of energy (including clean and renewable energy), security and counter-terrorism, development cooperation and other areas of mutual interest.

The Delegation of the European Union in Riyadh was officially opened in 2004. With the Lisbon Treaty and the setup of a unified diplomatic service (European External Action Service), it is now an embassy, representing the EU. It’s accredited to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Sultanate of Oman, the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Gulf Cooperation Council Secretariat. It deals with political relations, economic and trade cooperation, energy, climate change, cultural cooperation, security, space and being a consular focal point.

Cooperation between the EU and Qatar took place, initially, in the framework of the Cooperation Agreement, concluded between the EU and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in 1988. The main directions of action comprised therein are: Strengthening the stability in the strategically important region; Facilitating political and economic relations; Broadening economic and technical cooperation; Further broadening cooperation on energy, industry, trade and services, agriculture, fisheries, investment, science, technology and environment.

The EU and the UAE have developed a diplomatic relationship centred on common political and regional interests. The EU opened a Delegation in Abu Dhabi in the second half of 2013 as a testimony to its commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation. The UAE also hosts the embassies of 26 EU countries. Relations with the EU previously existed under the 1988 EU-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Cooperation Agreement, a region to region relationship with the countries of the GCC.