5 Top Points
- Iran’s Foreign Minister
met with his Omani counterpart and the Houthi chief negotiator in Muscat. - Saudi Arabia’s Foreign
Minister and US State Secretary discussed ways to defuse tensions in the Middle East amid
escalation between Israel and Iran. - Indian and German
companies agreed to explore large-scale hydrogen supply chains from Oman to Europe. - The EU High
Representative affirmed the EU’s commitment to maritime security in the Red Sea and the Gulf
of Aden. - Kuwait’s Emir accepted
the resignation of the Cabinet following the National Assembly elections and postponed the
inaugural session of the 18th legislative term until 14 May.
‘Round and About the Gulf
Kingdom of Bahrain
Monday, 8 April–Bahrain’s King, Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa, issued a decree to pardon and release 1,584 prisoners who have been convicted for riot and criminal cases.
State of Kuwait
Monday, 8 April–Kuwait’s Emir, Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, accepted the Prime Minister’s and his Cabinet’s resignation, following the National Assembly elections, which had a 62% voter turn out. The opposition retained the majority in the parliament, which will see the return of all but 11 members. The Popular Action Bloc and the Shia Justice and Peace Alliance both gained one seat, the Islamic Salafi Alliance and the Shia National Islamic Alliance retained their 3 and 2 seats respectively, while the Muslim Brotherhood-linked Islamic Constitutional Movement lost two seats. The Emir issued a decree postponing the inaugural session of the 18th legislative term until 14 May.
Sultanate of Oman
Monday, 8 April–In a significant move for Oman’s energy sector, ACME Group, an Indian sustainable and renewable energy company, and Hydrogenious LOHC Technologies, a German company in Liquid Organic Hydrogen Carriers (LOHC), signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore large-scale hydrogen supply chains from ACME’s projects in Oman to European supply hubs, leveraging the LOHC technology to develop efficient logistics. Both companies also plan to partner on evaluating the hydrogen value chain from USA to Europe.
State of Qatar
Monday, 8 April–Qatar’s Emir, Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, issued a judicial enforcement law, Law No 4 of 2024, which aims to enhance the country’s justice system, focusing on digital transformation, expediting litigation processes, combatting financial crimes, and establishing a specialised court for the enforcement of judicial judgments. The law is scheduled to come into force six months after it is published in the official gazette.
Wednesday, 10 April–In the context of the United Nation Security Council (UNSC) assessing Palestinian Authority’s request for full membership in the United Nations (UN), Qatar’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani, expressed Qatar’s support to the request, condemning the UNSC’s failure to address the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Wednesday, 10 April–Saudi Arabia’s Al-Khobar was recognised as the 99th smart city globally in the 2024 Smart City Index by the International Institute for Management Development (IMD), the fifth Saudi city to achieve this distinction alongside Riyadh (25th), Mecca (53th), Jeddah (55th), and Madina (74th). Moreover, the UAE ranked in the top 20, with Abu Dhabi (10th) and Dubai (12th).
United Arab Emirates
Thursday, 11 April–The UAE President, Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, pledged $15 million (about €13.4 million) in support of the Amalthea Fund, initiated by Cyprus to back the maritime corridor project to provide humanitarian aid by sea from Cyprus to the Gaza Strip. The move came a few days after the UAE’s Minister of State for International Cooperation, Reem bint Ebrahim Al-Hashimy, and Cyprus’ Minister of State for European Affairs, Marilena Raouna, and Accountant General of the Ministry of Treasury, Andreas Antoniades, held talks in Cyprus.
EU Corner
Monday, 8 April–Speaking at at a press conference on the European Union’s Operation Aspides in the Red Sea mission, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, emphasised the EU’s commitment to maritime security in the region. Borrell highlighted the importance of fostering cooperation with regional partners as well as the need for a comprehensive approach to address security challenges, including piracy and terrorism, in the Red Sea and beyond.
Monday, 8 April–The European Commission adopted a proposal for a new Macro-Financial Assistance (MFA) initiative to Jordan worth up to €500 million to address external financing needs, support fiscal consolidation, and advance structural reforms. This initiative builds on past EU programmes that disbursed nearly €1.1 billion to Jordan since 2013.
Thursday, 11 April—The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, and Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenarčič, will travel to Paris to participate in the ‘International Humanitarian Conference for Sudan and its Neighbours,’ co-organised by the European Union, France and Germany on 15 April. The event will mark one year since the outbreak of the conflict, which led to the world’s largest displacement crisis. On the sidelines, Borrell is expected to hold several bilateral meetings with regional officials, including Djibouti’s Foreign Minister, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf.
Key Official Visits
Sunday, 7 April–Iran’s Foreign Minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, and Oman’s Foreign Minister, Badr bin Hamad Al-Busaidi, held talks in Muscat, during which the recent attacks in the region were discussed, as well as Oman’s support in lifting US sanctions against Iran. Moreover, they issued a joint statement, underscoring their commitment to enhancing cooperation across various domains and emphasised the importance of bolstering economic ties and dialogue on regional developments, particularly in light of rising tensions. During his visit to Oman, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian also met with the head of the Yemeni Houthi negotiating team, Mohammad Abdulsalam.
Sunday, 7 April–Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Mohammed bin Salman Al-Saud, and Bahrain’s Crown Prince, Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa, met in Mecca to discuss bilateral relations, cooperation opportunities, and mutual interests. Both leaders expressed their commitment to strengthening ties and collaboration across various sectors.
Sunday, 7 April—Bahrain’s Minister of Interior, General Rashid bin Abdullah Al-Khalifa, received the Commander of US Naval Forces Central Command and of the US Fifth Fleet, Vice Admiral George Wikoff, to discuss the strategic Bahrain-US relations and the importance of reinforcing security cooperation and exchanging expertise
Monday, 8 April–Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Mohammed bin Salman Al-Saud, and Pakistan’s Prime Minister, Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, met in Mecca. Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince congratulated Pakistan’s Prime Minister on assuming office. The discussions focused on strengthening bilateral relations and cooperation, particularly in trade and investments, and expediting the first part of the $5 billion (about €4.2 billion) investment package. They also reviewed the situation in Gaza and stressed the need to resolve the Jammu and Kashmir dispute between Pakistan and India. Mohammed bin Salman accepted an invitation to visit Pakistan.
Monday, 8 April–Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud, held talks with Palestine’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Mohammad Mustafa, in Mecca. The two officials discussed the priorities of the Palestinian government, the situation in the West Bank and Gaza, ongoing initiatives aimed at securing a sustainable ceasefire, and the need to increase the volume of humanitarian aid.
Tuesday, 9 April–Maltese Foreign Minister, Evarist Bartolo, held a phone call with Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister, Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud, with whom he discussed the situation in Gaza and efforts towards achieving a lasting ceasefire. A few weeks earlier, Malta, Ireland, Slovania and Spain expressed readiness to recognise the State of Palestine.
Wednesday, 10 April–The UAE’s Foreign Minister, Abdullah bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, and his Iranian counterpart, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, discussed bilateral relations during a phone call.
Thursday, 11 April—Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister, Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud, held a phone call with US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, reviewing regional developments and ways to reduce tensions in the Middle East, notably amid recent escalation between Israel and Iran. They also focused on the situation in Sudan and the Gaza Strip.