Serious gaps remain in joint GCC-EU security efforts

Arab News

24-07-2025

https://arab.news/6d8wv
When the Gulf Cooperation Council and EU heads of state and government held their first summit last October, they endorsed the blueprint proposed by their ministers on security cooperation. While the two blocs have been closely engaged for decades, mainly on economic and political issues, it was the first time that they decided to work closely on security, as part of their intention to 'elevate their strategic partnership to the next level,' by working together to safeguard 'global and regional security and prosperity, including preventing the emergence and escalation of conflicts and resolving crises,' according to the joint communique issued at the time.
Regional security, whether in the Middle East, Europe or elsewhere, has to be anchored in 'multilateralism, international law and international humanitarian law, as well as sustainable development and prosperity,' in a reference to the weakening, if not total abandonment, of these principles in many parts of the world.
Nine months after that summit was held in Brussels, it is appropriate to assess how much has been done in security cooperation. A meeting of experts was held this week in Cambridge, a neutral territory, to evaluate progress. The meeting was organized by the Gulf Research Center, a well-established Saudi-based think tank. The GRC, celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, is probably the most prolific producer of scholarly and policy-oriented literature on the Gulf. As part of its program, it organizes an annual gathering in Cambridge of academics and policymakers from around the world, to discuss Gulf-related issues over several days of intense deliberations. This year marked the 15th of such convocations; there was more than 400 in attendance. Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan opened the meeting, followed by the GCC Secretary-General Jassem Mohammed Al-Budaiwi, and other senior officials from the two organizations.
Although the GCC-EU security dialogue started only last year, it has made considerable progress in delineating the parameters of cooperation on some specific issues. The summit agreed to 'deepening security cooperation, including on counter-terrorism, maritime security, cyber issues, nonproliferation, and disaster preparedness and emergency management.' In meetings held since the summit, the two organizations agreed on detailed frameworks for each of these five security areas; the next step will be their actual implementation. They also agreed to explore cooperation on peacebuilding efforts such as mediation and negotiation, and combating organized crime, drugs, human trafficking, and smuggling.
It is no secret that the EU is divided on Gaza
Dr. Abdel Aziz Aluwaisheg
On regional security, mediation and conflict resolution, much has been done, especially by the GCC side, but there are serious gaps given the severity of the ongoing crises. There are at least five areas where the two blocs need to double their efforts to live up to the promises made in the October summit to work together toward safeguarding regional security.
First, there is the Gaza genocide. The mass starvation and forced displacement of Palestinians have only intensified in recent months. While GCC states, especially Qatar, have been heavily involved in trying to achieve a ceasefire and allow aid in scale and without hindrance, it is no secret that the EU is divided and, in fact, a few of its members are providing political and material support for the mayhem perpetrated by Israel. Because of the rules of unanimity and weighted majority, the EU has been paralyzed by this division. It has not been able to get its members to agree on an effective course, such as using the leverage of its association agreement with Israel. Rule of weighted majority gives more leverage to large EU member states, who have been able to block action by the organization. In the words of one participant in the Cambridge discussions, the result has left the EU 'sitting on its hands,' satisfied with issuing occasional statements expressing concern about Gaza.
Similarly, while good progress has been made on plans for the day after in Gaza by the Arab League, Egypt, and others, the EU has yet to lend effective support for this plan.
Second, on the two-state solution, Saudi Arabia and a number of partners are making great efforts. One achievement has been the establishment of the Global Alliance for the Implementation of the Two-State Solution, which includes about 100 countries and organizations from around the world. It has held several substantive meetings dealing with different aspects of this challenge. These efforts are being undermined by Israel so far ruling out negotiations and continuing to change facts on the grounds in the West Bank, including expanding settlements and unleashing unchecked violence against Palestinians. The aim is to make a two-state solution impossible to implement. Although the EU is part of this global alliance, it has yet to use its considerable leverage to get Israel to change course.
Third, on the Israel-Iran war, the EU appears to be aligned with the GCC position. Both are pushing for a diplomatic solution and a return to the nuclear talks in order to prevent a likely resumption of hostilities. Both organizations believe that a military solution is not desirable or effective.
GCC countries have engaged closely with Damascus
Dr. Abdel Aziz Aluwaisheg
Fourth, on the Syrian Arab Republic, the two groups are aligned and have welcomed the new government, which took charge last December. However, the EU has yet to give tangible support, while GCC countries have stepped up to the plate and engaged closely with Damascus, most recently in the form of the Saudi-Syrian investment forum held in Damascus this week, in addition to substantial humanitarian and development aid by Saudi Arabia and other GCC countries in recent months. The EU is nowhere to be seen in Syria, according to one European participant, instead focusing on the shortcomings of the new government.
Fifth, on maritime security, the two sides are working hard to safeguard freedom of navigation and combat illicit activities, but there is little systematic coordination. Considering the now-frequent attacks on shipping in the Red Sea, maritime security has become one of the most urgent areas on which to focus. All GCC states, plus a dozen EU members, are members of the Bahrain-based, US-led 44-member Combined Maritime Forces, the largest international coalition of its kind. It has five task forces operating in the Gulf, Arabian Sea, Gulf of Aden, and the Red Sea. Separately, both the GCC and EU have their own platforms. The GCC Maritime Operations Coordination Center, also based in Bahrain, coordinates the work of GCC security forces, while the EU has three outfits — Operation Agenor in the Gulf, Operation Atalanta off the Somali Coast, and Operation Aspides in the Red Sea.
Although there has been limited practical cooperation in some of these areas, such as maritime security, more needs to be done, and a specifically GCC-EU framework needs to be established soon for coordination of all these efforts.
The next summit is expected to be held in Saudi Arabia in 2026, and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said last October that he expects to see real progress by the time the next forum convenes in Riyadh. To make that happen, the two sides need to speed up implementation in all areas of the GCC-EU strategic partnership, including security cooperation. To do that, the two sides must double their efforts, especially on the EU side. It is also urgently needed to scale up the currently meagre funds and manpower allocated for this ambitious partnership.