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The Euro-Gulf Monitor

20 - 25 September 2020

by

Arnold Koka

5 Top Points

  1. The UAE introduced equal salaries for men and women working in the private sector.

  2. Israel and Bahrain started pursuing deals in sectors of technology, economy and tourism.

  3. Oman held a coordinated cyber-crisis simulation with more than 25 Arab and regional states

  4. Kuwait’s Crown Prince accepted the US Legion of Merit, awarded by US President Donald Trump, on behalf of the Emir.

  5. GCC Secretary General discussed the Gulf crisis in Doha amid speculations of increasing efforts for solving the regional issue.

‘Round and About the Gulf

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Kingdom of Bahrain

Wednesday, 23 September–A high-level Israeli delegation landed in Bahrain in order to engage in a number of deals regarding fields of cooperation included in the Abraham Accord, such as tourism, technology, telecommunications, direct flights, energy and culture, as well as in opening reciprocal embassies. The delegation arrived a day after Israeli Prime Minister, Benyamin Netanyahu, and Bahraini Crown Prince, Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa, held a phone call underlining their willingness to engage in bilateral agreements in economy, tourism, and technology, as well as the need for regional peace.

 

State of Kuwait

Wednesday, 23 September–Kuwait’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Acting Minister of Defence, Ahmad Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah, conveyed a message to Qatar’s Emir, Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, from Kuwaiti Crown Prince, Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, related to bilateral and regional issues. Minister Al-Sabah also held a meeting with his Qatari counterpart, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani.

 

Sultanate of Oman

Tuesday, 22 September–Oman’s Sultanate’s Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology led a cybersecurity drill for Arab countries and members of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), focused on cross-border cooperation amid the threats to institutions and governments working remotely due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

State of Qatar

Friday, 25 September–Qatar and the US discussed counter-terrorism cooperation amid the framework of the third Strategic Qatar-US Dialogue, covering collaboration in enhancing aviation security and the ability to halt financial support to terrorist organisations and activities, as well as preparations regarding the FIFA World Cup to be held in Qatar in 2022.

 

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Wednesday, 23 September–Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Energy and the King Abdul Aziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), provisioning the establishment of the Joint Center for Research on Carbon Capture, Storage and Use Technologies. The new center will serve as a basis for enhancing scientific knowledge regarding carbon emissions, assisting the Kingdom’s efforts in reducing its emissions as part of the Vision 2030 commitments.

 

United Arab Emirates

Friday, 25 September–The UAE implemented a decree by the country’s President, Khalifa bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, mandating equal pay in the country for men and women