As outlined in the Joint Communication, the Gulf is a dynamic neighbouring region and an important gateway between Europe, Asia and Africa. Likewise, the EU has a lot to offer to the Gulf partners, as the world’s biggest single market, trading bloc and investor, a leader in research and innovation, and an important mediator and promoter of multilateralism, social transformation including human rights, gender equality, diversity and inclusion. As both regions navigate an increasingly complex global landscape, their partnership will continue to be shaped by economic interdependence, shared security interests, and a commitment to addressing global challenges collaboratively.
The overall objective to which the project contributes is to consolidate the EU-GCC partnership at regional and bilateral level, and improve the EU’s perception in the region.
The specific objectives of the project are as follows:
1) Strengthen the position of the EU as a key partner in the GCC region in areas of mutual interest.
2) Support the implementation and monitoring of EU–GCC partnership and cooperation initiatives.
3) Foster deeper cooperation and mutual understanding between non-state actors, academia, civil-society and citizens in the EU and the GCC region.
The expected outputs of the project are as follows:
1) Outcome 1: Strengthen the position of the EU as a key partner in the GCC region in areas of mutual interest. Output: Increased awareness, exchange and collaboration between EU and GCC stakeholders in key strategic areas with a focus on joint initiatives, dialogues, and collaborative projects.
2) Outcome 2: Support the implementation and monitoring of EU-GCC partnership and cooperation initiatives. Output: Enhanced analysis, knowledge, and expertise to support the implementation and monitoring of joint policy priorities.
3) Outcome 3: Foster deeper cooperation and mutual understanding between non-state actors, academia, civil-society and citizens in the EU and the GCC region. Output: Expanded opportunities for people-to-people diplomacy, including joint cultural initiatives, academic exchanges, and cross-regional collaborations on mutually strategic sectors.