As Qatar states is enhancing its partnerships with different countries of the world, GCC states are also expanding their strategic cooperation with the European Union. These expanding ties of GCC countries with different countries at the one hand highlight growing importance of the region and on the other hand unity and shared interests of GCC member states.
This fact was also reflected yesterday in the 13th GCC-EU Macroeconomic Dialogue held in Doha to enhance cooperation in addressing economic challenges. Under the event a number of sessions were held to discuss the issues like economic challenges and policy priorities, investment strategies, green economy and economic diversification. It aimed at exploring opportunities to enhance cooperation in vital areas such as trade, investment, sustainable energy and comprehensive development. Assistant Undersecretary for Economic Affairs at the Ministry of Finance H E Saud bin Abdullah Al Attiyah said that the Dialogue reflects the commitment of both sides to enhance mutual understanding and joint action to address ever-changing global challenges.
He said that the importance of its agenda stems from discussing the economic challenges and policy priorities through which the focus will be on how to deal with the current circumstances, and the priorities that must be adopted to ensure the sustainability of GCC and EU economies and protect their societies.
Qatari diplomacy focuses on reaching a ceasefire agreement, protecting civilians, releasing prisoners, and preventing the escalation of conflict, while stressing the importance of opening safe corridors for relief and aid in Gaza. GCC Assistant Secretary General for Political Affairs and Negotiations H E Dr. Abdel Aziz Aluwaisheq said that the dialogue is important for exchanging views on various international developments, discussing economic challenges in the GCC region and the European Union, and benefiting from the experiences of both sides in dealing with the issues of common interests.
Ambassador of the EU to Qatar H E Dr. Cristian Tudor praised Qatar’s hosting of the 13th EU-GCC Economic Dialogue noting that dialogues are the appropriate way to promote strategic relations between the EU and the GCC states and enhance cooperation between the two peoples. He said that the first summit at the leaders’ level between the State of Qatar and the European Union is due in October in Brussels under the presidency of Qatar. Director of International Economic, Financial Relations and Global Governance (ECFIN) Annika Eriksgaard highlighted the importance of EU-GCC economic dialogue, especially with the increasing international challenges such as the increasing fragmentation of global trade, complex geopolitical and economic situation that generally affects global growth.
