Milan: Senior officials, policymakers, and experts from Europe and the Gulf gathered in Milan on Friday for a high-level initiative focused on strengthening cooperation between the European Union and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) amid growing regional instability.
According to Qatar News Agency, the event, held at Palazzo Clerici, was organized by the Doha Forum and MED Dialogues in partnership with the Italian Institute for International Political Studies (ISPI) and the Center for International Policy Research (CIPR). It was titled "Bridging Stability: EU-GCC Cooperation in an Era of Fragmentation" and examined coordinated responses to a rapidly evolving post-conflict regional landscape.
Discussions centered on the impact of the ongoing war involving Iran and its wider regional consequences, including implications for regional stability, global energy markets, and economic security. Participants also explored opportunities to deepen EU-GCC cooperation in areas such as security, crisis management, energy resilience, and trade, with particular attention given to the Gulf region, the Levant, and strategic maritime corridors.
The plenary session featured Adviser to the Prime Minister and official spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Majed bin Mohammed Al Ansari, alongside HE Luigi Di Maio, the European Union's Special Representative for the Gulf. Dr. Al Ansari emphasized the Gulf's role as a stable partner for Europe in security and energy, highlighting the shared interests between both sides. Luigi Di Maio stressed the interconnectedness of Gulf and European security and the importance of building a partnership to confront shared challenges.
Closed-door discussions during the initiative focused on the future shape of the regional order after the conflict, defense cooperation, and energy and industrial policy, with participants underlining the need to translate dialogue into coordinated action. The program concluded with a reception hosted by the Consulate General of Qatar in Milan.
Organizers also confirmed that the 24th edition of the Doha Forum will be held in Doha on December 5-6, 2026, under the theme "Redefining Global Trust", bringing together world leaders and policymakers to discuss international cooperation and confidence-building in a rapidly changing global environment.