BRUSSELS — The European Union Foreign Affairs Council on Monday approved conclusions on a strategic partnership with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

The objective is to build a strategic partnership with the GCC and its member states, said the Council, which is meeting in Luxembourg today, in a statement.

An enhanced and deep cooperation between the EU and Gulf partners is a key priority for the European Union and a shared interest in view of addressing a series of global and regional challenges jointly with our Gulf partners, it noted.

EU High Representative Josep Borrell and the European Commission released on 18 May the Joint Communication that provides an operational roadmap towards a strategic partnership with the GCC in a wide range of key policy fields, such as climate change and green transition, energy security and a strong response to global humanitarian and development needs and global and regional security challenges.

People to people contacts are a central part of the EU's strengthened partnership with the Gulf, while enhanced cooperation in the fields of education, research, culture, youth, women's empowerment, human rights and visa facilitation are key components of this cooperation.

In light of the recent increased political momentum, the Council stressed the need to further strengthen and enhance political dialogue and institutional cooperation between the EU and the Gulf Cooperation Council.

The EU will use all its tools and instruments, including the Green Deal, the External Energy Engagement Strategy and the Global Gateway, to ensure the efficient, effective and swift implementation of this new strategic partnership with the Gulf, said the conclusions.

The six-member GCC includes Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain and the UAE. — KUNA