The relationship between Europe and the Middle East has evolved over centuries, shaped by cultural, political, and economic exchanges. In today’s rapidly shifting geopolitical landscape, energy security and economic cooperation have emerged as dominant themes driving the bilateral relationship between the European Union (EU) and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). As Europe navigates the global energy crisis, political instability in the Middle East, and the need for diversified energy sources, its engagement with the GCC has taken on new significance.

Just last week, GCC Secretary-General Jasem Al-Budaiwi met with EU Commissioner for the Mediterranean Dubravka Suica to discuss a proposed Gulf-European conference on energy security. This meeting, which took place on the sidelines of the Brussels Ninth Conference on Syria, underscored the growing importance of energy cooperation between the two regions. With Europe still adjusting to the energy market disruptions caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the Gulf region has emerged as a key player in providing energy security and economic stability.

Since 2020, the EU has significantly increased its energy imports from GCC countries. The European Council on Foreign Relations reports that of the more than 180 new energy agreements signed by the EU since the onset of the Ukraine war, the largest number of these agreements have been with GCC states. The UAE leads the pack with 24 deals, followed by Qatar (11), Saudi Arabia (4), Oman (2), and Bahrain (1). These deals highlight Europe’s urgent need to replace its reliance on Russian energy supplies and secure long-term partnerships with reliable Gulf energy producers.

The numbers reinforce this trend: in 2023, imports of mineral fuels accounted for over 75% of EU imports from GCC countries.........

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