EU Turns Up Heat on Gulf Trade Talks

TDT | Manama

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Bahrain and the European Union are looking to deepen political, economic and parliamentary cooperation as a visiting European Parliament delegation held a series of high-level meetings in the Kingdom.

The European Parliament’s Delegation for Relations with the Arab Peninsula, led by MEP Reinhold Lopatka, discussed stronger institutional ties, regional security, trade and investment during its visit.

Speaking at a reception at the German Residence in Saar, Lopatka highlighted plans to strengthen parliamentary exchanges between the GCC and European Parliament.

“Bahrain has a developed parliamentary system with two chambers,” Lopatka said, pointing to opportunities for regular exchanges between GCC parliaments and the European Parliament.

He also stressed the importance of engaging young people through greater contact with European institutions and policymakers.

Lopatka said the European Union supports Bahrain’s right to security and stability amid the wider regional conflict, adding that Bahrain can play a significant role despite its size.

The delegation’s visit included meetings with His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Council of Representatives Speaker Ahmed Al Musallim and Shura Council Chairman Ali bin Saleh Al Saleh, as well as representatives of other institutions.

Discussions included prospects for an EU-GCC Free Trade Agreement and a Strategic Partnership Agreement covering political, security and economic cooperation.

German Ambassador Henning Simon said a free trade agreement could make business between European and GCC companies easier by reducing trade barriers.

He said the proposed strategic partnership could also cover security cooperation, counterterrorism, organised crime and cybersecurity.

“Bahrain is a hub to really enter GCC countries,” Simon said, highlighting the Kingdom’s skilled workforce, tax environment and investment opportunities.

He also encouraged European companies to explore investment opportunities in Bahrain and said cooperation should extend beyond trade to investment in both directions.

The ambassador announced that the EU Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Bahrain, which began operations on September 15, will be officially inaugurated on October 14, with the participation of Luigi Di Maio, European Union Special Representative for the Gulf region.

The visit also comes ahead of the EU-GCC Summit scheduled for October 24, providing another platform for discussions on closer cooperation between the two regions.

The delegation’s programme and the German-hosted reception brought together Bahraini and European officials, diplomats and institutional representatives, with discussions also covering regional and international developments.

The talks underline efforts to expand Bahrain-EU relations beyond political dialogue into trade, investment, parliamentary engagement and institutional cooperation.