EU trade relations with the Gulf region

The six member countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have their own customs union. They are important partner countries for European investment and trade. The Gulf states are the EU's sixth largest export market. The EU, on the other hand, is the most important trading partner for the region after China.

In 1988, a cooperation agreement was concluded between the EU and the GCC. This defines the framework for European-Gulf Arab relations. It provides for cooperation in the areas of investment, trade, climate, research, environment and energy. This has resulted in a Joint Council and a Joint Cooperation Committee, which meet annually in Brussels or Riyadh.

More information on the relations between the two regions can be found on the website of the European Commission.