First EU-Gulf summit gather to avert Mideast 'conflagration'

Gulf leaders including Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman gather with EU heads of state and government in Brussels Wednesday for a summit aimed at averting a "general conflagration" in the Middle East.

The 27-nation European Union is seeking to work more closely with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) — which brings together Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates — in addressing conflicts in both the Middle East and Ukraine.

Confirmed at the last minute, the presence of Saudi Arabia's de facto ruler among the six Gulf leaders in attendance heightened expectations ahead of the first-ever EU-GCC summit.

Taking place on the eve of an EU leaders' summit, the gathering kicks off in earnest from 2:00 pm (1200 GMT) with the arrival of Gulf heads and state and government, following a Tuesday night dinner for foreign ministers.

Trade, energy and climate change will all be on the table at the Brussels talks — but EU officials stressed the "main topic" would be Israel's conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon.

"One of the objectives is to avoid a general conflagration" in the Middle East, a senior EU official said. "Both sides are worried about this."

"These countries play a key role in the Middle East, and could play a key role on the conflict in Ukraine," the official said — though differences remain over Russia's invasion of its neighbour, and in particular the EU's push to punish Iran for bolstering Moscow's war effort.

  'Same concerns' 

The EU is the second-largest trading partner for GCC countries but talks on a trade pact have languished for years.

"We see much more eye-to-eye on the Middle East," another official said.

The Brussels summit comes just over...