During the Committee on Economic Development’s working visit to Brussels, an important meeting was held with Mr. Luigi Di Maio, the European Union’s Special Representative for the Gulf region. In the course of the discussions, the Ukrainian side formally proposed granting Ukraine observer status within the EU–Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Strategic Dialogue platform.
This initiative was expressed as a part of Ukraine's strive for deeper economic integration with main regions of global target. Granting such status would enable Ukraine to join discussions on key areas of cooperation between the EU and the Gulf states, advance its national economic interests, participate in relevant forums, and gain insights into the needs of the GCC market — one of the largest importers of European goods.
As of today, the volume of trade between the EU and GCC countries exceeds €161 billion. In 2024, exports from the EU to the region amounted to €99.4 billion, while imports totaled €62.3 billion. Granting Ukraine access to this platform would lay the groundwork for new investment projects — particularly in the fields of reconstruction, green energy, innovation, and logistics — and facilitate the integration of the Ukrainian economy into joint infrastructure initiatives.
The Chairman of the Committee Dmytro Nataluha emphasized: «We proposed granting Ukraine observer status because we believe that Ukraine can be not only a recipient of assistance but also an active partner in shaping the new economic architecture of the continent.
Ukraine’s participation in the EU–GCC platform represents a step toward access to new markets, investments, and technologies. We are grateful to Mr. Luigi Di Maio for his constructive approach and willingness to support Ukraine’s interests in this strategic dialogue».