Yesterday’s summit between the European Union and the Gulf Co-operation Council in Brussels was a milestone moment during which leaders from the 27 EU and six GCC countries came together for the first time. But this historic meeting took place amid a backdrop of international turmoil that both regional organisations are sadly familiar with.
Established in Riyadh on February 4, 1981, the GCC was born into a volatile Middle East. The Iran-Iraq War started less than six months earlier. Eight months later, Egyptian president Anwar Sadat would be assassinated and in the following year Israeli forces invaded southern Lebanon. It is little surprise then that the 2024 iteration of conflict in the Levant dominated the EU-GCC summit’s agenda.
In the EU, the GCC has a valuable partner that understands the need to pursue regional peace, making such meetings particularly valuable. Like the GCC, the EU also came about in a time of conflict. As the November 1993 Maastricht Treaty replaced the European Economic Community with the new European Union, the disintegration of Yugoslavia had already led to the continent’s worst armed conflict since the end of the Second World War. That devastating war in the Balkans has been replaced by the instability unleashed by the war in Ukraine.
Both sides meeting in Brussels therefore understand the pressing need for diplomatic solutions to violent conflict while maintaining security. A draft version of a final communique circulating in Brussels yesterday reflected this, stating that the blocs would “actively explore and seek enhanced co-operation on security through the definition and implementation of joint priorities and co-operation initiatives on security”. Another joint meeting could take place in Riyadh next January.
The organisations’ continued diplomatic partnership is vital, particularly at a time when the US is largely focusing on its coming election. It is a partnership that goes back years – a co-operation agreement signed in 1989 established the EU-GCC Joint Council that provides a forum for dialogue on energy, climate change and economic ties, among other issues. The GCC and the EU are also unequivocal in their agreement that a two-state solution to the Palestine-Israel conflict is essential, and many European states have recognised Palestinian statehood.
The EU is the GCC countries’ second-largest trade partner, generating €170 billion ($185 billion) in trade last year
But solid economic, energy and trade relations buttress this political consensus. The EU is the GCC countries’ second-largest trade partner, generating €170 billion ($185 billion) in trade last year. In 2023, imports of mineral fuels accounted for more than 75 per cent of EU imports from GCC countries. Hundreds of thousands of Europeans live and work in the Gulf, and in May an EU decision to harmonise Schengen visa rules for GCC citizens seems likely to encourage more Gulf students, entrepreneurs and tourists to visit the continent.
The challenges that face the Middle East, Europe and the wider world are too immense and complex to be tackled by any one nation acting alone. Taken together, the GCC and EU represent 33 nations; the collective political, diplomatic and economic influence they can exert by working together is considerable. Yesterday was a good step forward on the road towards a level of co-operation that can not only weather the storm of current events but can calm them too.
The Baghdad Clock
Shahad Al Rawi, Oneworld
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The story in numbers
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This is how many recognised sects Lebanon is home to, along with about four million citizens
450,000
More than this many Palestinian refugees are registered with UNRWA in Lebanon, with about 45 per cent of them living in the country’s 12 refugee camps
1.5 million
There are just under 1 million Syrian refugees registered with the UN, although the government puts the figure upwards of 1.5m
73
The percentage of stateless people in Lebanon, who are not of Palestinian origin, born to a Lebanese mother, according to a 2012-2013 study by human rights organisation Frontiers Ruwad Association
18,000
The number of marriages recorded between Lebanese women and foreigners between the years 1995 and 2008, according to a 2009 study backed by the UN Development Programme
77,400
The number of people believed to be affected by the current nationality law, according to the 2009 UN study
4,926
This is how many Lebanese-Palestinian households there were in Lebanon in 2016, according to a census by the Lebanese-Palestinian dialogue committee
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Emirates exiles
Will Wilson is not the first player to have attained high-class representative honours after first learning to play rugby on the playing fields of UAE.
Jonny Macdonald
Abu Dhabi-born and raised, the current Jebel Ali Dragons assistant coach was selected to play for Scotland at the Hong Kong Sevens in 2011.
Jordan Onojaife
Having started rugby by chance when the Jumeirah College team were short of players, he later won the World Under 20 Championship with England.
Devante Onojaife
Followed older brother Jordan into England age-group rugby, as well as the pro game at Northampton Saints, but recently switched allegiance to Scotland.
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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China
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Canada
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Pharaoh's curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
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Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
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Key figures in the life of the fort
Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.
Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.
Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.
Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae
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Power: 420hp
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Emergency phone numbers in the UAE
Estijaba – 8001717 – number to call to request coronavirus testing
Ministry of Health and Prevention – 80011111
Dubai Health Authority – 800342 – The number to book a free video or voice consultation with a doctor or connect to a local health centre
Emirates airline – 600555555
Etihad Airways – 600555666
Ambulance – 998
Knowledge and Human Development Authority – 8005432 ext. 4 for Covid-19 queries
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