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Arab News
an hour ago
- Politics
- Arab News
Serious gaps remain in joint GCC-EU security efforts
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.
Russia Today
an hour ago
- Business
- Russia Today
EU poised to retaliate over US tariffs
The European Union member states have drawn up a list of US goods worth €93 billion ($109 billion) that could face 15% import tariffs unless a compromise is reached with Washington by August, according to media reports. The White House has accused America's trading partners of unfair practices and has used tariff threats as leverage in negotiations. Brussels says it is seeking a negotiated solution but is preparing countermeasures if talks fail. The list of targeted products was finalized Thursday morning, diplomats told reporters. Hungary was the only EU member to vote against the measure, Euronews reported. The document merges two earlier lists – one of which was approved in April following US President Donald Trump's announcement of tariffs on European steel and aluminum. Brussels decided to combine them to make the countermeasures 'clearer, simpler, and stronger,' EU trade spokesman Olof Gill told reporters earlier this week. Russian officials have argued that the EU remains vulnerable to US pressure, portraying the bloc's leaders as weak and subservient to Washington's policy agenda. Dmitry Medvedev, the Deputy Chair of Russian Security Council, remarked in April that as the West disengages from trade with Russia, Moscow should 'take a seat on the shore and wait for the enemy's corpse to float by. In this case, the decaying corpse of the EU economy.' If initiated, the EU's proposed tariffs would go into effect August 7, targeting a wide range of US goods including aircraft, automobiles and auto parts, orange juice, poultry, soybeans, steel, aluminum, and yachts. Bourbon whiskey was also included 'despite intense lobbying by France and Ireland,' who feared US retaliation against their own wine and spirits exports, according to Euronews. Reuters reported that the EU hopes to reach a framework agreement similar to the one struck between the US and Japan. Under the potential arrangement, the 15% US tariff would remain in place, but some industries – including aircraft, lumber, select medicines, and agricultural products – would be granted exemptions, the outlet said.
New York Times
2 hours ago
- Automotive
- New York Times
Europe Nears U.S. Trade Deal, but Stands Ready to Retaliate
European Union officials are voicing optimism about a possible trade deal with the United States, aiming for 15 percent across-the-board tariffs, including on cars and car parts, but they have also made clear that they are preparing to strike back should an agreement fall through. On Thursday, nearly every European Union country voted to back a plan to retaliate against President Trump's tariffs, setting the stage to hit more than 93 billion euros' worth of U.S. imports with levies should he follow through on his threat to tax European imports at 30 percent. Hungary was the lone holdout. The measures, which will be adopted later Thursday by the European Commission, the E.U.'s executive arm, would kick in on Aug. 7 unless a satisfactory accord is reached, Olof Gill, a commission spokesman, said at a briefing in Brussels. But whether they will actually be deployed remains to be seen. For one thing, the prospect of retaliation has made the European corporate world uncomfortable. Many company executives fear that any retaliation could infuriate Mr. Trump and expose them to even higher U.S. tariffs. The luxury, cosmetics and food industries in particular have been lobbying in Brussels against enacting any countermeasures. Mr. Gill declined to say whether the European Union would still strike back if the United States imposed a lower 15 percent tariff on European imports, similar to the terms of the deal the United States made with Japan. 'Right now, our focus is on finding a negotiated outcome with the U.S.,' he said, adding that one is 'within reach.' Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Reuters
2 hours ago
- Business
- Reuters
EU regulators to investigate if KKR provided misleading information in Telecom Italia deal
BRUSSELS, July 24 (Reuters) - EU antitrust regulators will investigate whether U.S. investment firm KKR (KKR.N), opens new tab provided incorrect or misleading information in its 22-billion-euro ($26 billion) acquisition of Telecom Italia's (TIM) ( opens new tab fixed-line network deal, the European Commission said on Thursday. The Commission, which acts as the competition enforcer in the 27-country bloc, approved the deal unconditionally in May last year, attributing this in part to long-term agreements between FiberCop and telecoms companies Fastweb and Iliad. FiberCop is Telecom Italia's last-mile grid unit. "Under the investigation opened today, the Commission will assess whether KKR provided incorrect or misleading information about these agreements," the EU watchdog said in a statement. The Commission has in recent years cracked down on companies providing misleading information during merger reviews and handed out hefty fines.
South China Morning Post
2 hours ago
- Business
- South China Morning Post
EU and China agree on plan to iron out rare earth export restrictions, von der Leyen says
'We agreed – and this is new – to have an upgraded export supply mechanism. In other words, if there are bottlenecks, this upgraded support supply chain support mechanism can immediately check and solve the problem or the issue that is out there,' von der Leyen said. China's chokehold on rare earth exports has become one of the biggest issues in the EU-China relationship and was high on Brussels' agenda as its leaders sat down with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang in separate sessions. The tension stems from China's decision to impose licensing requirements on the export of rare earth elements and magnets in April. The move was a response to US tariffs, but European firms were caught in the crossfire, with some production lines grinding to a halt. Von der Leyen acknowledged China's efforts 'on fast tracking licences for the critical raw materials ' and said progress was vital to repairing 'trust in our trade relationship'. 'We need a reliable and secure supply of critical raw materials from China. Being seen as a reliable supplier and partner is clearly aligned with China's long-term economic and strategic interests,' she said.
