European Commission, GCC chiefs affirm EU-GCC Summit imperative for growth

President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and GCC Secretary General Jasem Al-Budaiwi have stressed that the EU-GCC Summit is imperative to enhance growth opportunities. In her inaugural speech at the summit on Wednesday, von der Leyen said the EU and GCC have started a new phase of strategic partnership, adding that security and prosperity of the two regions' countries are integrated and related to each other. This is a historic summit, which proves the two sides' visions as strategic partners that cooperate for a common future, she said. No economic growth without security, she affirmed, referring to the Middle East situation and the Russian-Ukrainian war that have greatly affected the two regions. Von der Leyen called for mobilizing diplomatic efforts to halt this perilous escalation in the Middle East. She called for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaze Strip and Lebanon, and protecting civilians and diplomats to create a sustainable security. She affirmed EU's commitment to backing pea ce efforts and reaching the two-state solution. Both EU and GCC are partners committed to green transition, and their economies make great progress in energy diversification, she noted. Von der Leyen said they need advanced techniques to support clean technology, noting they can meet their needs with the GCC support. She referred to the importance of partnership in energy to build a new "era", lauding the EU-GCC cooperation in trade and investment as a "backbone" for their partnership. Von der Leyen pointed out they still need further strategic bonds in energy, trade, technological innovation like artificial intelligence. Meanwhile, Al-Budaiwi said the summit shows that the two sides are aware of the importance of enhancing political and economic relations between the GCC and EU. This will help the two sides achieve their desired goals and upgrade strategic partnership for wider horizons on different levels. He pointed to the deal signed by the two sides in 1988 and the 2020-2027 joint action program. T he summit is held, out of strategic partnership, and the extension of friendly and cooperation relations between the two sides, he noted. Source: Kuwait News Agency