Muscat: The 27th EU-GCC Joint Ministerial Council session kicked off in Muscat on Tuesday.
During this session, Oman's foreign minister, Sayyid Badr Al Busaidi, called for concrete actions in three main areas in his keynote address.
Firstly, he emphasised the importance of energy and green transition. Al Busaidi urged the establishment of an expert group dedicated to energy and climate change, tasked with developing recommendations to maximize the effectiveness of investments in the green energy sector.
Secondly, he highlighted the significance of cybersecurity. The minister explained that the evolving economic partnership between the two unions hinges on digital security, underscoring the need for enhanced collaboration in the cybersecurity arena. He also noted its role as a counter-terrorism tool.
Thirdly, the minister advocated for the inclusion of GCC students in the European Union's Erasmus+ programme (European Community Action Scheme for the Mobility of University Students) to facilitate connections between people.
Al Busaidi further mentioned that the commission has identified six priority areas for the partnership between the GCC and EU: prosperity, green transition and energy security, regional stability, human development, people, and institutions.
Foreign minister stated that the gathering provided a prime opportunity for substantive dialogue aimed at combatting the spread of Islamophobia and xenophobia. He expressed concerns about acts of Islamophobic hate potentially inciting violence against Muslims.
He also saw economic activity and the deepening of economic relations as powerful means for strengthening political relations, promoting peace, and averting conflict. In this context, he commended the European Union as an exemplary historical achievement.
During his speech, Sayyid Badr addressed the disturbing developments in Palestine and Israel over the past few days. He called for restraint, an immediate ceasefire, the release of prisoners from all sides, and adherence to international humanitarian laws regarding the Palestinian-Israeli issue.
Josep Borrell, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, stressed the importance of all parties contributing to stopping acts of violence and escalation while safeguarding civilians on both the Palestinian and Israeli sides. He underscored the need for collective action to prevent such events in the future and the importance of sustainable efforts to find a solution to the conflict.
Additionally, Borrell emphasized the need to intensify cooperation in maritime security, enhance investment and trade capabilities between the two sides, and address environmental challenges.
The meeting saw the participation of over thirty official delegations representing the European Union and GCC states.
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