Maktoum bin Mohammed arrives in Brussels to participate in inaugural GCC-European Union Summit

His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, First Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, arrived in the Belgian capital, Brussels today to participate in the first GCC-European Union Summit. Leading a UAE delegation, His Highness was welcomed upon his arrival by Jassim Mohammed Al Budaiwi, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), along with several senior officials. The UAE’s participation in the summit reflects the strong and growing ties with the European Union (EU) and aims to foster cooperation at both the bilateral and regional levels in areas of mutual interest. It also seeks to accelerate progress on priority issues, tackle common challenges, and explore new avenues to strengthen the Gulf-European partnership. The UAE delegation accompanying HH Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to the summit includes Reem bint Ebrahim Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation; Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade; Khalifa Shaheen Al Marar, Minister of State; Lana Zaki Nusseibeh, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Political Affairs; and Mohamed Al Sahlawi, UAE Ambassador to the European Union, Belgium, and Luxembourg. The GCC-European Union Summit, the first to be held at the level of leaders, marks a significant milestone in enhancing cooperation between GCC and EU countries across various sectors, particularly in economy, investment, trade, sustainability, technology, artificial intelligence, and scientific research. The event reflects the positive and ongoing progress in the relationship between the two sides within the framework of the Gulf-European strategic partnership.