The second European Union-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit will take place in Saudi Arabia on 24 October, bringing together the leaders of the EU member states and the six GCC countries.
The summit will be co-chaired on the EU side by European Council President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
Leaders from the GCC countries – Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates – are also expected to attend.
Costa announced the date of the summit on Thursday evening in Athens during joint statements with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
EU and Gulf seek deeper strategic partnership
The EU is the GCC's second-largest trading partner, with relations between the two blocs covering trade, political dialogue, security and regional cooperation.
Speaking at the first EU-GCC Summit, held on 16 October 2024, Costa said the strategic partnership was based on political dialogue, coordination and commitment, with the aim of promoting global and regional peace, security and prosperity.
He said the two regions' past, present and future were interconnected and called for the partnership to be deepened.
The October summit will provide an opportunity for European and Gulf leaders to further develop that strategic relationship and discuss issues of common interest.
EU-GCC trade reaches €165.6bn
Economic ties between the two regions remain substantial.
According to available figures, total EU-GCC trade reached €165.6 billion in 2025.
EU exports to the Gulf countries amounted to approximately €110 billion, while imports from the GCC stood at €55.6 billion.
Energy remains a key component of the relationship, with fuels accounting for more than 75% of EU imports from the Gulf countries.
The figures underline the importance of the GCC to the EU's energy supplies, while the Gulf market remains a significant destination for European goods and services.
Source: CNA
