5 Top Points
- The GCC countries held an emergency meeting amid the military escalation between Iran and Israel.
- Qatar and Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister held a phone call with Iran’s Foreign Minister to discuss the danger of further military escalation in the region.
- Bahrain’s King met with Egyptian President and Jordan’s King amid exacerbating regional security situation.
- Kuwait’s Emir appointed Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah as Prime Minister.
- The EU-GCC High-Level Forum on Regional Security and Cooperation will be held on 22 April in Luxembourg.
‘Round and About the Gulf
Kingdom of Bahrain
Monday, 15 April–Bahrain and the other GCC members (Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE) held an emergency Ministerial meeting, on the sidelines of the GCC-Central Asia Strategic Dialogue Second Ministerial Meeting in Tashkent, to coordinate on ways to address the latest regional military escalation between Iran and Israel. They called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and for holding an international conference to address the Palestinian issue, highlighting the role of the United Nations Security Council in maintaining international peace and security.
State of Kuwait
Monday, 15 April–Kuwait’s Emir, Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, appointed Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah as Prime Minister and asked him to form a government, following parliamentary elections. Since 2021, Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah has served as head of the Crown Prince’s Court and prior to that he held several ministerial positions, including Minister of Oil and Minister of Information (2009-2011).
Sultanate of Oman
Tuesday, 16 April–Oman LNG Company signed two separate agreements with JERA, Japan’s largest power company, and with Shell Gas, a unit of the British energy company Shell. The deal with JERA commits Oman LNG to supply 0.8 million metric tonnes annually of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from 2025 to 2035. The 10-year agreement with Shell Gas, starting from 2025, involves the supply of up to 1.6 million metric tons annually of LNG to Shell.
State of Qatar
Wednesday, 17 April–During a joint press conference with Turkish Foreign Minister, Hakan Fidan, in Doha, Qatar’s Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, stated that the ongoing ceasefire negotiations in Gaza are in a ‘delicate phase,’ emphasising the need for careful navigation amid complex diplomatic efforts. Qatar also announced it will reassess its mediation role, citing concerns over the ‘exploitation and abuse’ of its diplomatic efforts.
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Tuesday, 16 April–At the International Humanitarian Conference for Sudan and neighbouring countries in Paris, Saudi Arabia announced its comprehensive humanitarian plan to implement relief and humanitarian projects worth over $1.2 billion (about €1 billion). The Saudi delegation to the Conference was led by the Supervisor General of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief), Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Rabeeah. The event was co-hosted by France, Germany, and the EU and saw the participation of representatives of GCC members, the Arab League, among others.
United Arab Emirates
Thursday, 18 April–The UAE’s Minister of State for Foreign Trade, Thani bin Ahmed Al-Zeyoudi, and Costa Rican counterpart, Manuel Tovar, signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) in San Jose. The Agreement will aim to provide new investment opportunities, particularly in the logistic, energy, aviation, tourism and infrastructure fields, and boost bilateral trade.
EU Corner
Wednesday, 16 April–The EU Commissioner for Energy, Kadri Simson, participated in the 14th session of the Assembly of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) in Abu Dhabi, a key annual meeting to foster cooperation on renewable energy at the global level. The IRENA Assembly session addressed the outcomes of COP28, focusing on infrastructure, policies, tripling renewables, accelerating the energy transition, and fostering international cooperation. The session saw the participation of 144 countries, including the GCC member countries.
Wednesday, 17 April–The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, held a phone call with Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister, Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud, to discuss the latest developments in the Gaza Strip and its surrounding areas, the international efforts to end the war and ways to de-escalate the situation in the region.
Wednesday, 17 April–The EU-GCC High-Level Forum on Regional Security and Cooperation will take place on 22 April in Luxembourg. The Forum will gather EU Foreign Ministers and their counterparts from the GCC Member States, and the EU Special Representative for the Gulf region to enhance political dialogue and discuss issues related to regional security and stability. The EU High Representative Josep Borrell, Qatar’s Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, and the GCC Secretary General, Jasem Al-Budaiwi, will co-chair the Forum.
Thursday, 18 April–The European Council held an extraordinary European Summit in Brussels during which it stated that EU stands ready to avoid further escalation in the Middle East. Firstly, the European leaders condemned Iran’s attack on Israel and announced the EU will expand sanctions against Iran in relation to unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and missiles. Secondly, they reiterated the EU’s commitment to provide humanitarian aid to Gaza, achieve a ceasefire and the release of all hostages. Furthermore, the EU stated its readiness to avoid further escalation in Lebanon by supporting reforms, refugees, and the Lebanese Armed Forces, as well as providing support to combat human trafficking and smuggling. Finally, on Syria, the EU Council invited the European Commission to review and enhance the EU assistance for Syrian refugees.
Key Official Visits
Sunday, 14 April–Qatar’s Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, held a phone call with Iran’s Foreign Minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, to discuss the latest developments in the region, notably Iran’s missile and drone attack on Israel and ways to de-escalate the situation. Qatar’s Prime Minister urged all parties to remain calm and exercise restraint.
Monday, 15 April–Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister, Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud, received a phone call from his Iranian counterpart, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian. The officials discussed the developments in the region and the mounting escalation related to the conflict in Gaza and its surrounding areas.
Monday, 15 April–The Minister of Defence of the Netherlands, Kajsa Ollongren, went on an official visit to Bahrain and Qatar. In Manama, she met with Bahrain’s Minister of Defence Affairs, Lieutenant General Abdullah bin Hassan Al-Nuaimi, and Chief of Staff of the Bahrain Defence Force (BDF), Lieutenant General Theyab bin Saqr Al-Nuaimi, with whom she reviewed bilateral relations. In Doha, she met with Qatar’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence Affairs, Khalid bin Mohammed Al-Attiyah, to discuss security in the region. As part of her visit to Qatar, she also toured the Combined Air Operations Centre at Qatar’s Al-Udeid Air Base, where she met with Dutch staff officers.
Monday, 15 April–The Vatican’s Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, met with Bahrain’s Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the King Hamad Global Centre for Peaceful Coexistence, Abdullah bin Ahmed Al-Khalifa, in the Vatican City. They emphasised the importance of interfaith dialogue in promoting peace and understanding among nations and communities. The meeting highlighted the shared commitment of both parties to fostering peaceful coexistence and enhancing cooperation between the Vatican and Bahrain.
Monday, 15 April–On the sidelines of the Paris Conference on Sudan, Qatar’s Minister of State for International Cooperation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Lolwah bint Rashid Al-Khater, met separately with the French President Advisor on North Africa and the Middle East, Anne-Claire Legendre, the Cabinet Director of the French Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Luis Vassy, and the Director of the Crisis and Support Centre of the French Foreign Ministry, Philippe Lalliot. During the meeting, they discussed key regional issues, as well as bilateral cooperation. Moreover, with Legendre, the two officials explored opportunities for collaboration in various fields, including politics, economy and culture, and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening diplomatic relations and promoting mutual understanding.
Monday, 15 April–The UAE President, Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, held separate phone discussions with regional leaders, including Bahrain’s King, Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa, Jordan’s King, Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein, and Qatar’s Emir, Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani. They addressed pressing regional issues, particularly the crisis in the Gaza Strip and the urgency of achieving a ceasefire, as well as the need to avoid further military escalation after Iran’s attack on Israel.
Monday, 15 April–The GCC-Central Asia Strategic Dialogue Second Ministerial Meeting took place in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, to establish a sustainable partnership to enhance cooperation and bolster regional stability. The participating countries included Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan. Key highlights of the meeting included the endorsement of joint initiatives, support for international events, such as Expo2030, commitment to sustainable development, security and healthcare collaboration, and cultural and educational exchange. It came ahead of the first GCC-Central Asian Investment Forum to be held on 29 May in Riyadh.
Tuesday, 16 April–The Speaker of Saudi Arabia’s Shoura Council, Abdullah bin Mohammed Al-Asheikh, met with Jordan’s King Abdullah II and with the House of Representatives Speaker, Ahmed Safadi, during his official visit to Amman. Both sides highlighted the importance of reinforcing bilateral relations and discussed ways to expand cooperation in various fields, especially parliamentary affairs and issues of common interest.
Tuesday, 16 April–The UAE’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abdullah bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, held separate calls with United Kingdom’s Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, David Cameron, and with Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Péter Szijjártó. With both officials, he reviewed the international efforts to enhance humanitarian response in the Gaza Strip, as well as efforts to defuse tensions in the region.
Wednesday, 17 April–Bahrain’s King, Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa, went on an official visit to Cairo, where he met with Egyptian President, Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, and Amman, where he met with Jordan’s King, Abdullah II. During the meetings, they discussed ways to enhance bilateral relations and economic integration, as well as the Gaza crisis and the importance of humanitarian aid. Moreover, they called on Arab states and international efforts to work on achieving peace in the region.
Wednesday, 17 April–On the sidelines of the Italian Society of International Organisation (SIOI) conference in Rome, Bahrain’s Undersecretary for Political Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abdullah bin Ahmed Al-Khalifa, met with NATO’s Deputy General, Mircea Geoană, to review the Bahrain-NATO cooperation. Moreover, he met with the President of SIOI, Riccardo Sessa, to discuss cooperation. The event focused on enhancing cooperation among participating countries to address common security challenges and threats facing the region.
Wednesday, 17 April–Romania’s Prime Minister, Marcel Ciolacu, led a high-level delegation to Doha, to strengthen economic ties, with a focus on investment opportunities worth around €1.5 billion in the energy, infrastructure and technology sector. During his visit, he held talks with Qatar’s Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, among other officials. They exchanged views on various regional and international issues, and underscored the commitment of enhancing diplomatic relations and exploring opportunities for collaboration.
Wednesday, 17 April–Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Mohammed bin Salman Al-Saud, held separate calls with Qatar’s Emir, Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, and UAE’s President, Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, to discuss the recent military escalation between Iran and Israel and its regional repercussions, in addition to the Gaza situation.