Cooperation Agreement between the EEC and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)

 

SUMMARY OF:

Cooperation Agreement between the EEC and the GCC countries

Decision 89/147/EEC — conclusion of a Cooperation Agreement between the EEC and the GCC countries

WHAT IS THE AIM OF THE DECISION AND THE AGREEMENT?

• The decision concerns the conclusion, on behalf of the EEC (now the EU), of a partnership and cooperation agreement with the GCC countries (the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar and Kuwait).
• The agreement aims to promote the broadest overall cooperation between equal partners on mutually advantageous terms in all spheres between the 2 regions and further their economic development.

KEY POINTS

The agreement covers the following:

• economic cooperation, which should be as extensive as possible and not exclude any area, and technical cooperation, to encourage and facilitate
  • the diversification of GCC countries’ economies
  • market research and trade promotion
  • technology transfer and development, notably through joint initiatives and the protection of patents, trademarks and intellectual property rights
  • the promotion of stable and balanced links between traders
  • cooperation on standards and measures
  • information exchange;
  • training;
• agriculture, the agri-food industry and fisheries, to increase the sharing of information and encourage contacts between companies and research institutions to promote common projects;
• industry, to encourage joint enterprises, develop industrial production, enlarge the economic base and to organise contacts and meetings;
• environmental and wildlife protection, to encourage the parties to share information;
• investment, to improve investment conditions particularly through agreements on mutual promotion and protection;
• in the fields of science and technology, to encourage links between scientific communities and access to patent databases, research, scientific and technological development, technology transfers and adaptation;
• the development and diversification of trade. The parties agreed to find ways to eliminate trade barriers and to open discussions on an agreement to develop trade. A common declaration on this matter was included at the end of the text. Pending agreement, both parties will grant each other the status of most favoured nation* status, as set out in a letter from the EU attached to the agreement.

Institutional provisions

• The agreement sets up a Joint Cooperation Council which periodically lays down the general guidelines for cooperation, acts as an arbiter in the event of dispute and seeks means of putting cooperation into practice. Its decisions are binding on the parties, and its presidency rotates between the EU and the GCC countries. It is assisted by a Joint Cooperation Committee, and may decide to set up further committees.
• Parties must exchange information and consult the Joint Council regarding:
  • useful information that has a direct impact on the agreement; or
  • possible problems in the general functioning of the agreement or concerning trade.
• This agreement does not prevent the conclusion of bilateral agreements, providing that they do not conflict with this agreement. Its duration is unlimited, but if one party renounces it in writing, it will cease to apply 6 months after the notification date.

DATE OF ENTRY INTO FORCE

The agreement entered into force on 1 January 1990.

BACKGROUND

For more information, see:

• Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the EU (European External Action Service)
• Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) (European External Action Service).

KEY TERMS

MAIN DOCUMENTS

Cooperation Agreement between the European Economic Community, of the one part, and the countries parties to the Charter of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (the State of the United Arab Emirates, the State of Bahrain, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Sultanate of Oman, the State of Qatar and the State of Kuwait) of the other part (OJ L 54, 25.2.1989, pp. 3-15)

Council Decision 89/147/EEC of 20 February 1989 concerning the conclusion of a Cooperation Agreement between the European Economic Community, of the one part, and the countries parties to the Charter of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (the State of the United Arab Emirates, the State of Bahrain, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Sultanate of Oman, the State of Qatar and the State of Kuwait) of the other part (OJ L 54, 25.2.1989, pp. 1-2)

RELATED DOCUMENTS

Information on the date of entry into force of the Cooperation Agreement between the European Economic Community, of the one part, and the countries parties to the Charter of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (the State of the United Arab Emirates, the State of Bahrain, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Sultanate of Oman, the State of Qatar and the State of Kuwait) of the other part (OJ L 360, 9.12.1989, p. 41)

last update 04.03.2020