GCC-EU Relations: Toward the Strategic Partnership Webinar Serie

GCC-EU Relations: Toward the Strategic Partnership

Session 1

Taking Stock and Looking Forward: Outlines for the GCC-EU Strategic Partnership

Issue:

Questions:

With the unveiling of the joint communication by the European Commission on a strategic partnership with the Gulf, the EU has taken a concrete step towards more substantive and comprehensive ties with the Gulf region and in particular the GCC states. How can the partnership document now be translated into action? What is the view from both the EU and the GCC states in terms of moving forward? What are key priorities areas to focus on? How can one ensure that the current momentum can be carried forward?

Status of Relations, Priorities, Development of Action Plan November 29, 2022 1:00 - 2:30 PM KSA Time

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GCC-EU Relations: Toward the Strategic Partnership

Session 2

The Energy Transition and Climate Action

Issue:

Green Transition, Hydrogen Partnerships, COP meetings, Sustainable Finance Arrangements, Decarbonization, Circular Economy

Questions:

What are the primary areas to focus on when it comes to the energy transition? Where must the emphasis be placed in the short-term? How can closer partnerships in terms of energy supply, energy development and energy security be structured? What does each side bring to the table? What the key aspects of both the EU’s and the GCC’s vision in terms of the climate change agenda and how can a workable action plan be developed?

December 20, 2022 1:00 - 2:30 PM KSA Time

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GCC-EU Relations: Toward the Strategic Partnership

Session 3

Regional Security

Issue:

Promoting regional de-escalation, political-military dialogue, con ict prevention mechanisms, regional coordination on Iran. Yemen, Iraq, Syria etc.

Questions:

What are needed mechanisms to improve the dialogue on regional security issues? How can the EU and the GCC move towards increased shared understanding on regional threats? How can an agenda on regional peace-building be formulated? What can the EU provide to maintain the momentum on de-escalation in the region?

January 10, 2023 1:00 - 2:30 PM KSA Time

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GCC-EU Relations: Toward the Strategic Partnership

Issue:

Session 5

Environmental Sustainability

Questions:

What are the key environmental issues that can beneft from closer EU-GCC ties? How can regional cooperation be enhanced, for example, the Regional Organization for the Protectionof the Marine Environment? What is the promising way forward to combat the rising threat from dust storms? What are Gulf regional initiatives that would bene t from EU cooperation? What does a substantive EU-GCC agenda on environmental sustainability look like?

Marine Resources, Biodiversity, Waste Management, Deserti cation, Dust Storms, Pollution February 14, 2023 1:00 - 2:30 PM KSA Time

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GCC-EU Relations: Toward the Strategic Partnership

Session 6

Education and Youth Mobility

Issue:

Questions:

How can student mobility between the EU and the GCC states be enhanced? How can awareness about suitable programs for which the GCC countries are eligible be increased in order to create broader participation? What types of research partnerships can be envisioned? What other types of program, for example , in vocational training can be pursued?

Research and Innovation, Vocational Training, Erasmus Mundus +, Cooperation on Research March 7, 2023 1:00 - 2:30 PM KSA Time

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GCC-EU Relations: Toward the Strategic Partnership

Session 7

Security Issues

Issue:

Questions:

How can the EU-GCC security relationship be enhanced? What role do arms sales play in this equation? How can freedom of navigation and maritime security be assured in line with the EU-Coordinated Maritime Presence? What lessons are learned from counter-terrorism cooperation so far and what next steps should be taken? What areas in terms of cyber security can help to provide a more stable and secure environment? How can communication and coordination be improved to address hybrid attacks?

Maritime Security, CBRN Issues, Counter-Terrorism, Cyber Security, Nuclear Safety March 28, 2023 1:00 - 2:30 PM KSA Time

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GCC-EU Relations:

Toward the Strategic Partnership

Issue:

Session 8

Health Resilience

Questions:

What the key lessons to be learned from the COVID-19 pandemic? What collective e orts can be put forward to support better coordination and cooperation? How can one best improve pandemic preparedness and response? What are speci c steps to be taken to improve public health delivery and response capacity? What medium- to long term recovery instruments should be considered?

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic, Health Delivery, Resilience Response Mechanisms, Global Cooperation April 11, 2023 1:00 - 2:30 PM KSA Time

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GCC-EU Relations: Toward the Strategic Partnership

Session 9

Promoting Transport

Issue:

Questions:

What are the next steps in terms of aviation cooperation? How can aviation safety, air tra c management, social and environmental standards be increased/enhanced? Where should the emphasis be placed in terms of infrastructure to improve connections through transport corridors? What are opportunities in the sector of green mobility? How can EU-GCC cooperation on railways be reinvigorated? What need to be kept in mind in terms of maritime safety?

Aviation, Railways, Maritime Safety, Green Mobility May 2, 2023 1:00 - 2:30 PM KSA Time

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Issue:

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What is the role of the GCC states in the EU’s Global Gateway strategy? How can the concept of digital innovation hubs be implemented in the EU-GCC context? How can the two sides cooperate on the development of needed infrastructure? How can digital skills be enhanced? What consideration must be given the digital protection? Where can cyber security collaboration be enhanced?

GCC-EU Relations: Toward the Strategic Partnership

Session 11

Humanitarian and Development Cooperation

Issue: How can funding and e ciency in international humanitarian aid be improved in the context of EU-GCC relations? How can a bridge be found between bi-lateral and multi-lateral approaches? How can international humanitarian law be strengthened? What mechanisms must be put in place to strengthen coordination between the EU, GCC states, Arab Financial institutions and organizations such as the OIC? What the key areas for the EU and the GCC states to emphasize and concentrate on?

Humanitarian Assistance Coordination, Donor Institutions, OECD Arab-DAC dialogue on development June 6, 2023 1:00 - 2:30 PM KSA Time

Questions:

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GCC-EU Relations:

Toward the Strategic Partnership

Issue:

Session 12

Institutional Relations

GCC and EU as Institutions, Institutional Engagement, Partnership Agreements, Capacity-Building, Organizational Exchanges

Questions:

How can one best strengthen the institutional arrangements for cooperation? How can on improve and enhance existing framework? How does one best combine bilateral engagement with a sustained regional partnership? What are agship activities to be considered? What need to be considered as far as current Partnership Agreements is concerned? How can cooperation in terms of policymaking and public diplomacy coordination be improved?

June 27, 2023 1:00 - 2:30 PM KSA Time

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