The European Union is pursuing enhanced cooperation with Qatar across multiple sectors including defence technology, artificial intelligence (AI), energy security, trade, and visa facilitation, according to the EU ambassador to Doha, Antonino Maggiore. Speaking at the Global Security Forum, Maggiore emphasized efforts to transform shared principles into actionable partnerships, anchored by ongoing negotiations on a strategic partnership agreement between the two sides.
Maggiore outlined plans for an upcoming EU-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) seminar on defence technology and AI scheduled for December 3 in Doha. The event aims to bring together defence industry representatives from the EU's 27 member states and their counterparts in Qatar and the surrounding Gulf region. The seminar will serve as a platform to foster collaboration in areas of growing strategic importance, particularly in response to evolving security challenges.
Highlighting Qatar’s expanding role in international diplomacy, Maggiore praised the country’s active engagement in mediation efforts related to regional crises and other global issues. He pointed to the upcoming Doha Forum in December as a key opportunity to underscore Qatar’s diplomatic contributions and expressed the EU’s interest in deepening cooperation on mediation, maritime security, international law, and security matters within the framework of the strategic partnership.
Economic ties also form a critical component of the EU-Qatar relationship. Maggiore discussed initiatives intended to bolster small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), investment, and startup ecosystems. Plans include the establishment of a business council that would connect chambers of commerce from EU member states with Qatari counterparts and European institutions. This initiative builds on the existing European Enterprise Network, which facilitates partnerships between European businesses and their international associates. Maggiore stressed that SMEs are foundational to the European economy and that enhanced support structures could help smaller enterprises integrate into broader investment and trade networks.
Energy cooperation remains a cornerstone of the dialogue, with Qatar’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) identified as a resource of strategic importance for the EU. Maggiore noted recent discussions with Qatar’s minister of state for energy reaffirming ongoing cooperation with the European Commission and EU member states. He acknowledged Qatar’s efforts to maintain energy supplies amid regional tensions affecting production facilities.
People-to-people exchanges and visa liberalisation for Qatari nationals are also under active consideration. Although the EU-GCC summit originally scheduled for late October was postponed, Maggiore assured that work on visa facilitation and the wider strategic partnership is proceeding with high priority through ongoing meetings in Brussels involving GCC representatives and EU member states responsible for visa issuance.
Addressing regional developments, Maggiore expressed shared concerns with the Gulf states over instability and escalation risks. He reiterated the EU’s commitment to dialogue, de-escalation, adherence to international law, and a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, reaffirming opposition to illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank. The EU continues to provide humanitarian assistance to Palestine while recognizing internal differences among member states that can complicate the formation of unified policies. Maggiore indicated the EU’s readiness to engage in stabilisation initiatives alongside other international stakeholders.
In summary, the EU aims to consolidate its political dialogue with Qatar by fostering practical cooperation in security, energy, business, and diplomatic fields, leveraging the evolving strategic partnership to address shared challenges and opportunities.