Senior EU, GCC officials meet in Kuwait

Senior officials from the European Union (EU) and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries are set to meet later on Sunday to discuss a host of issues including the Syrian conflict, Iran and Middle East peace process. The officials, meeting ahead of the December 10-11 GCC Summit, will be also discussing challenges and developments in the region including Yemen, Iraq and global issues like the fight against terrorism and priacy. Regional and international developments require continued consultation and coordination between the 27-member EU and six-member GCC, which are linked to an important strategic relationship since the conclusion of cooperation agreeement between the two sides in 1988. The GCC leaders will hold their 34th summit amidst fast-paced regional and international developments, that require great efforts to address challenges imposed on the Gulf region. At the forefront of these developments are the recent nuclear agreement between Iran and the Group of 5+1 and the 32-month Syria conflict that claimed the lives of over 100,000 people. "These circumstances need thorough study to their implications to be able to take the necessary actions to address them and help protect the interests and historic achievements of member states," GCC Secretary General Abdulateef Al-Zayani has stated. The GCC leaders will discuss a variety of matters including anti-graft, protection of oil facilities and traffic cooperation as well as the implementation of the unbinding strategy of e-governments of Gulf countries. The economic issues feature high on the summit agenda as the Gulf countries seek a full economic integration, expand cooperation with world's major economies, mainly the US and EU.