High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell is travelling to Qatar and Kuwait over the weekend to participate in the Doha Forum 2022 as well as to exchange with Qatari and Kuwaiti counterparts on bilateral relations, international cooperation and global security after Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine.

With this visit, High Representative Borrell continues EU’s diplomatic outreach to the Gulf region, which he toured last October and with which the EU is working on a strengthened partnership.

With the recent ministerial meeting of the EU and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in February, the upcoming EU’s “Joint Communication on a new partnership with the Gulf”, as well as the opening of an EU Delegation to Qatar later this year, there is a new momentum to enhance strategic cooperation between the EU and countries in the Gulf.

On Saturday, High Representative Borrell will participate in the Doha Forum, a key platform to discuss global challenges and for engagement with partners from around the world on issues dominating the international agenda. High Representative Borrell will speak in the opening session “Transforming for a New Era” and address the changing geopolitical landscape and wider global challenges, in particular the damaging consequences of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine for global security and the world economy. The High Representative will also have bilateral meetings with Qatari Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, as well as with other international partners.

On Sunday, High Representative Borrell will travel to Kuwait for a first official bilateral visit. He will be holding talks with Crown Prince Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Khalid al-Hamad al-Sabah, Minister for Foreign Affairs Sheikh Ahmed Nasser Al-Muhammad Al-Sabah, and the Speaker of the National Assembly Mr Marzouq Al-Ghanim. A press conference with Minister for Foreign Affairs Sheikh Ahmed Nasser Al-Muhammad Al-Sabah is foreseen for 13.30 CET.

Audio-visual coverage of the visit will be available on EbS. To watch live the sessions of the Doha Forum, register here.