HE Special Representative of the European Union (EU) for the Gulf region Luigi Di Maio commended the significant efforts made by the State of Qatar - the current Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) president, to organize the First GCC-EU summit to provide an opportunity to discuss multilateral political issues and bilateral agenda. In an interview with Qatar News Agency , ahead of the summit to be held Wednesday, October 16, His Excellency highlighted the great importance of the GCC-EU summit, explaining that it is the first time that the GCC leaders and the 27 EU leaders meet in a joint summit in Brussels, two years after the approval of the new EU strategy on the GCC. HE Di Maio indicated the summit aims to establish a new strategic partnership for peace and prosperity between the two sides. This summit shows the extent of convergence between the GCC countries and the EU in facing many challenges together at the global level, he added, pointing out the need to establish a new strategic partnership for peace a nd prosperity during the summit, especially since the two parties are capable of implementing strategic partnerships from the starting point. Regarding the Summit agenda, His Excellency said the GCC-EU alliance is of utmost importance to find solutions to current world conflicts and crises, noting that leaders of the parties' countries have the opportunity to discuss several files and issues, including the events taking place in Gaza as well as the crisis in Ukraine, Africa and the Red Sea. In this regard, His Excellency said that the role of the GCC countries is highly significant regarding the recent events in the Red Sea, in terms of mediating to de-escalate and reduce the tensions, reach a ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon, and implement the two-state solution, stressing that interests are shared in making the Arab region peaceful and stable, as the stability of the Gulf region means stability for Europe and vice versa. On the other hand, HE Di Maio said that the EU decided to enhance the level of partners hip with the GCC, in light of the persistent attempts to implement this strategy based on the following basic pillars: trade, energy - especially renewable energy, regional security, and people-to-people relations. These pillars are represented by partnerships between institutions, and after two years of approval, the EU is about to hold the first joint summit ever, he said, adding that this step is a turning point for discussing bilateral issues, such as: trade exchange and people-to-people exchange, in addition to the visa issue. He affirmed that poeples, companies, entrepreneurs, investors, students and researchers are at the heart of the joint strategies, adding that, after this summit, further work can be done to strengthen relations in terms of the five main pillars. His Excellency added the Summit's expected outcomes will be released following the deliberations of the leaders and heads of states. Yet, he concluded his interview with QNA by saying that the most significant outcome would be the image sent to the entire world that the GCC-EU Summit will bring the two parties closer to confront the global challenges at this particular time. Source: Qatar News Agency