The EU and GCC are examples of supranational institutions with very different designs. For many years, the EU served as a model that the GCC looked to emulate. Today, however, the GCC might serve as a source of inspiration for the EU in some areas. The time is right for collaborative EU-GCC research on the optimal structure of supranational institutions.
The world started experimenting with supranational institutions in earnest following the conclusion of the Second World War, spawning examples such as the Arab League, African Union and Association of South-East Asian Nations. These differ in terms of the level of political and economic integration, and the degree to which consensus is required for the formulation and implementation of central rulings. For example, the EU model shows high degrees of economic integration with moderate levels of political centralisation, while the Arab League is a much looser grouping where member states retain total sovereignty.
If the success metric for a supranational institution is its track record in defusing conflict, then the leading performer is surely the EU, which transformed Europe from the land of perennial wars to an exemplar of civilised conduct. While the EU model has served as a useful template for the GCC countries, so far, the six member states have maintained a supranational structure that ensures each retains a high degree of independence. Accordingly, the GCC often operates more as an intergovernmental forum.
To see the difference more clearly, consider that in the case of the EU, institutions such as the European Council and European Parliament have legislative authority that member states must respect, even if they disagree with the law passed. Further, the European Commission has significant executive authority, in addition to having the capacity to punish member states that fail to comply with supranational directives, in conjunction with the European Court of Justice. In the economic domain, the European Central Bank is the sole determinant of monetary policy for the 20 out of 27 EU member states that have adopted the euro, while the EU common market ensures that commercial regulations are virtually harmonised across the bloc.
In contrast, the GCC’s primary bureaucratic institution – and the loose analogue to the European Commission – is the GCC Secretariat General. It does not have the ability to ensure compliance through fines and other punitive instruments, which has contributed to continuing challenges in the implementation of the GCC single market. Moreover, despite the nominal status of the GCC as a customs union, several member states have promulgated bilateral free trade agreements outside the GCC.
The EU and GCC have been successful in many regards. However, both continue to face challenges, some of them shared.
For example, in the case of the EU, these include the lack of consensus on the structure of a fair migration agreement; slow decision-making at the EU-level making citizens feel disenfranchised; and tension over optimal monetary policy given the intra-EU differences in fiscal and monetary needs.
Greater co-operation would not only deepen EU-GCC ties but could also involve Asean, the African Union and the South American trade bloc Mercosur
In the case of the GCC, there continues to be a deficit in defence and security integration. The bloc’s ability to negotiate free trade agreements has been limited by the divergence in the member states’ trade interests, while foreign policy heterogeneity has also undermined the GCC’s ability to unify the six members’ diplomatic positions. This latter challenge in particular is very much evident in the case of the EU, too, with internal differences limiting the EU’s ability to act effectively in a variety of global crises including Ukraine and Gaza.
These challenges indicate that the knowledge of how to optimally structure supranational institutions is incomplete, and that there is much to gain by further studying these issues using modern scientific methods.
While European scholars have extensively analysed the EU’s institutions, their work tends to be inward-looking, rarely drawing lessons from other blocs such as the GCC. In contrast, the GCC has modelled many of its institutions on the EU’s experience, though its scholarly literature remains comparatively limited. Notably, plans for a Gulf Monetary Union were delayed after learning from the EU’s handling of the Greek euro crisis.
Given the many challenges facing the EU, it would be beneficial for European scholars to study the GCC’s experience. Today, GCC researchers are far more experienced than in past decades and can contribute meaningfully to such collaborations.
Greater co-operation would not only deepen EU-GCC ties but could also involve Asean, the African Union and the South American trade bloc Mercosur, enriching global understanding of regional governance. The collaboration could take various forms, such as physical research centres or virtual consortiums, with a hybrid model probably offering the greatest benefits by balancing deep immersion with broad participation.
Studying supranational institutions is crucial as regional blocs face growing challenges. While the EU and GCC follow different integration models, each offers valuable lessons. A research collaboration between their scholars would not only deepen academic understanding but also help address shared challenges.
With the GCC now a strong contributor to global scholarship, this is an ideal time for co-operation, aiming to develop more resilient, effective institutional frameworks that balance integration with national sovereignty.
Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
Women’s World T20, Asia Qualifier
UAE results
Beat China by 16 runs
Lost to Thailand by 10 wickets
Beat Nepal by five runs
Beat Hong Kong by eight wickets
Beat Malaysia by 34 runs
Standings (P, W, l, NR, points)
1. Thailand 5 4 0 1 9
2. UAE 5 4 1 0 8
3. Nepal 5 2 1 2 6
4. Hong Kong 5 2 2 1 5
5. Malaysia 5 1 4 0 2
6. China 5 0 5 0 0
Final
Thailand v UAE, Monday, 7am
The specs: 2017 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali
Price, base / as tested Dh207,846 / Dh220,000
Engine 6.2L V8
Transmission Eight-speed automatic
Power 420hp @ 5,600rpm
Torque 624Nm @ 4,100rpm
Fuel economy, combined 13.5L / 100km
The specs: 2018 Nissan Altima
Price, base / as tested: Dh78,000 / Dh97,650
Engine: 2.5-litre in-line four-cylinder
Power: 182hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 244Nm @ 4,000rpm
Transmission: Continuously variable tranmission
Fuel consumption, combined: 7.6L / 100km
Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
The Settlers
Director: Louis Theroux
Starring: Daniella Weiss, Ari Abramowitz
Rating: 5/5
My Cat Yugoslavia by Pajtim Statovci
Pushkin Press
WOMAN AND CHILD
Director: Saeed Roustaee
Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi
Rating: 4/5
McLaren GT specs
Engine: 4-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission: seven-speed
Power: 620bhp
Torque: 630Nm
Price: Dh875,000
On sale: now
FFP EXPLAINED
What is Financial Fair Play?
Introduced in 2011 by Uefa, European football’s governing body, it demands that clubs live within their means. Chiefly, spend within their income and not make substantial losses.
What the rules dictate?
The second phase of its implementation limits losses to €30 million (Dh136m) over three seasons. Extra expenditure is permitted for investment in sustainable areas (youth academies, stadium development, etc). Money provided by owners is not viewed as income. Revenue from “related parties” to those owners is assessed by Uefa's “financial control body” to be sure it is a fair value, or in line with market prices.
What are the penalties?
There are a number of punishments, including fines, a loss of prize money or having to reduce squad size for European competition – as happened to PSG in 2014. There is even the threat of a competition ban, which could in theory lead to PSG’s suspension from the Uefa Champions League.
The biog
DOB: March 13, 1987
Place of birth: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia but lived in Virginia in the US and raised in Lebanon
School: ACS in Lebanon
University: BSA in Graphic Design at the American University of Beirut
MSA in Design Entrepreneurship at the School of Visual Arts in New York City
Nationality: Lebanese
Status: Single
Favourite thing to do: I really enjoy cycling, I was a participant in Cycling for Gaza for the second time this year
The Land between Two Rivers: Writing in an Age of Refugees
Tom Sleigh, Graywolf Press
SPECS
Toyota land Cruiser 2020 5.7L VXR
Engine: 5.7-litre V8
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 362hp
Torque: 530Nm
Price: Dh329,000 (base model 4.0L EXR Dh215,900)
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylturbo
Transmission: seven-speed DSG automatic
Power: 242bhp
Torque: 370Nm
Price: Dh136,814
'The Coddling of the American Mind: How Good Intentions and Bad Ideas are Setting up a Generation for Failure'
Greg Lukianoff and Jonathan Haidt, Penguin Randomhouse
From Zero
Artist: Linkin Park
Label: Warner Records
Number of tracks: 11
Rating: 4/5
Brief scoreline:
Manchester United 0
Manchester City 2
Bernardo Silva 54', Sane 66'
How much of your income do you need to save?
The more you save, the sooner you can retire. Tuan Phan, a board member of SimplyFI.com, says if you save just 5 per cent of your salary, you can expect to work for another 66 years before you are able to retire without too large a drop in income.
In other words, you will not save enough to retire comfortably. If you save 15 per cent, you can forward to another 43 working years. Up that to 40 per cent of your income, and your remaining working life drops to just 22 years. (see table)
Obviously, this is only a rough guide. How much you save will depend on variables, not least your salary and how much you already have in your pension pot. But it shows what you need to do to achieve financial independence.
EA Sports FC 26
Publisher: EA Sports
Consoles: PC, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox Series X/S
Rating: 3/5
Zayed Sustainability Prize
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 247hp at 6,500rpm
Torque: 370Nm from 1,500-3,500rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 7.8L/100km
Price: from Dh94,900
On sale: now
From Europe to the Middle East, economic success brings wealth - and lifestyle diseases
A rise in obesity figures and the need for more public spending is a familiar trend in the developing world as western lifestyles are adopted.
One in five deaths around the world is now caused by bad diet, with obesity the fastest growing global risk. A high body mass index is also the top cause of metabolic diseases relating to death and disability in Kuwait, Qatar and Oman – and second on the list in Bahrain.
In Britain, heart disease, lung cancer and Alzheimer’s remain among the leading causes of death, and people there are spending more time suffering from health problems.
The UK is expected to spend $421.4 billion on healthcare by 2040, up from $239.3 billion in 2014.
And development assistance for health is talking about the financial aid given to governments to support social, environmental development of developing countries.
