At a time of insecurity and significant challenges to the rules-based international order both in Europe and in the Gulf region, and as the world faces the consequences of the Russian aggression against Ukraine and the COVID-19 pandemic and the urgent imperative of the green and digital transition, the European Union stands much to gain from a stronger and more strategic partnership with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and its member states.

A stronger partnership with the Gulf region has a key role to play in the implementation of the European strategy to REPowerEU and the complementing EU External Energy Strategy. This includes such important topics such as an increase of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) supplies, measures to stabilise oil markets, cooperation on hydrogen, energy efficiency and faster deployment of renewable energy.