Analysts call for stronger EU-GCC cooperation

Nawab Khan (with photos) BRUSSELS, Sept 28 (KUNA) -- Two experts on relations between the European Union (EU) and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) called here Monday on the 27-member European bloc to give more attention to its relations with the GCC.
Director of the Brussels-based think-tank European Policy Studies (CEPS) Daniel Gros said in an interview with KUNA he agrees with the viewpoint that Brussels has not until now given the importance the GCC deserves.
He, however, explained that this is due to the differences between EU institutions and EU member states.
"The people in Brussels would like to do more, but they can do more only if EU member countries allow them. Member countries like Germany, France, and Italy insist to handle these relations bilaterally because they think they can get important contracts," said Gros.
On his part, Director of international studies at the Dubai-based Gulf Research Center (GRC) Dr. Christian Koch told KUNA that he intends to agree that not much attention is being paid by the EU to developments happening in the GCC countries and the increasing role that the GCC countries play not only in traditional foreign and security affairs, but specifically in the economic areas.
In the current global financial crisis the role of sovereign funds is taken on critical importance, he said, adding that the GCC states are very dynamic entities engaged in widespread economic developments. All these fronts the GCC states can be a positive factor," stressed Koch.
Therefore, the EU needs to pay more attention to what is going on in the Gulf, he added.
The CEPS and GRC have organized a joint workshop on EU-GCC relations and global economic issues to be held in Brussels on Friday.
"This is an effort to strengthen relations between the European Union and the GCC countries. We are involved as the CEPS is dealing with EU's relations with the world," said Gros.
Noting that the GRC is situated in the Gulf and which knows what is happening in the GCC itself, Gros said, "so we decided to join forces to bring European participants and officials and academics from the Gulf to discuss issues of common interest." On his part, Koch noted that Friday's workshop will look with more depth into economic relations between the EU and the six-member GCC which includes Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and UAE.
"We will look into current economic developments, economic financial crisis and what this means on the development of EU-GCC relations," Koch said.
"The fact that this seminar is being held in Brussels highlights the importance to EU institutions," he stressed.
Referring to the EU-GCC Free Trade Negotiations (FTA) which are currently in limbo, Koch noted that a lot of progress has been made in the negotiations and serious negotiations have actually taken place from 2004-2009.
At the moment, there are not many issues to be resolved and one is hopeful that one keeps pressing to make both the European Commission and the GCC states to show their political will to finally get an agreement to come about, he said.
Friday's event in Brussels is being organized in the framework of the Al-Jisr project on EU-GCC Relations with the support of the European Commission.
The workshop will bring together prominent economists and policy officials from both the EU and the GCC.
Meanwhile, a group of GCC journalists is visiting Brussels this week on a training session to understand the institution and policies of the EU and EU-GCC relations.
Kuwait holds the current GCC Presidency. (end) nk.ris KUNA 280932 Sep 10NNNN