Ewa Björling hopeful of a free trade agreement with Gulf states
Minister for Trade Ewa Björling took part in a meeting in Oman last week between the EU and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). The meeting saw the resumption of the negotiations on a free trade agreement that were suspended last December.
Dr Björling met with H.E. Abdel Rahman bin Hamad Al-Attiyah, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council in Oman: Photo: Monica Ohlsson/MFA
"The deadlock has been broken. That's fantastic," says Ewa Björling.
Negotiations have been going on for more than 20 years and Dr Björling now hopes that a free trade agreement can be finalised under the Swedish Presidency of the EU. Human rights and export taxes have been the most difficult issues to reach agreement on. In her bilateral talks with representatives of the GCC countries, the Minister for Trade raised these particular issues to gain an understanding of where each GCC country stands on them.
"This is a free trade agreement that both parties can benefit from. This is especially important in times of economic crisis when trade is a way of improving the situation," says Dr Björling.
Other issues discussed at the meeting included the situation in the Middle East in general, terrorism, climate change and the pirate attacks off Somalia's coast. In her address, the Minister for Trade raised the Iraq issue.
"The situation in Iraq is problematic but developments are clearly moving in the right direction. Strengthening bilateral contacts is crucial in supporting these positive developments."
Dr Björling also underlined that Iraq's important role in the region and its potential as a trade partner are important reasons for deepening relations with the country.
Facts about GCC
The Gulf Cooperation Council is a regional organisation consisting of six Gulf states: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. This meeting was the 19th EUGCC Joint Council and Ministerial Meeting.
