Project Publications

 
  Title: The EU-GCC Partnership: Security and Policy Challenges
By: Michael Bauer, Christian-Peter Hanelt, Christian Koch
Publication Date: May 2010
Publisher: Gulf Research Center
Publication Category: Policy Brief
 
Abstract: This policy brief takes a close look at the status of regional security cooperation in the critical Gulf region, highlights the main current security challenges, and outlines a series of steps that could be taken to improve or even help establish more institutional security cooperation among both the regional and external actors that have a stake in a stable regional security environment. A particular focus is to create ideas and formulate recommendations on how the EU-GCC partnership could deal with these. The recommendations draws on presentations and discussions that took place at a conference on Gulf Security that took place in Berlin in March 2010 and combines them with the overall findings of the al-Jisr and related research projects.
Language: English
   
  Title: The Gulf takes charge in the MENA region
By: Edward Burke and Sara Bazoobandi
Publication Date: April 2010
Publisher: FRIDE
Publication Category: Working Paper
 
Abstract: The Gulf has emerged as the new leading player in the Arab world in the 21st century. However, the crisis has dealt a serious blow to the region’s economy and the prospects of integration. The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) complained of not being consulted by the EU over the Union of the Mediterranean, but has failed to offer MENA countries an equivalent alternative. The GCC is undoubtedly the only part of the Middle East with the resources to mitigate rising political and economic pressures that afflict the region through increased and more efficient allocation of development funds and investments to foster job creation. To succeed, Gulf donors need completely to rethink their engagement in the region, moving away from merely facilitating loans and grants towards in-country development assistance programmes.
Language: English
   
Title: Political Reform in the GCC and its Implications for EU Policy
By: Edward Burke and Christian Koch
Publication Date: February 2010
Publisher: Gulf Research Center
Publication Category: Event Paper
 
Abstract: The event paper released in February 2010 presents an overview of the opinions held at the Al Jisr workshop titled: Political Reform in the GCC and its Implications for EU Policy, held from November 2-3, 2009, in Madrid, Spain, incorporation with the Fundacion para la Relaciones Internacionales Y el Dialogo Exterior (FRIDE). It centers on the status of political reform and provides a perceptive of the transition process occurring in the GCC states. It explores the roles of the Gulf monarchies as drivers of political reform, the role of parliaments and local councils, the prospects for judicial reform, the development of civil society, and the interaction between energy dynamics and political reform.
Language: English
   
Title: Exploring Opportunities in the  EU-GCC Relationship
By: Christian Koch
Publication Date: October 2009
Publisher: Gulf Research Center
Publication Category: Policy Briefs
 
   
Abstract: This policy brief provides concrete suggestions as to how the member states of the European Union and the Gulf Cooperation Council should expand their areas of cooperation and enhance relations between the two regional groups. The consensus was that there is a need to place focus on the short-term issues as well as set the pillars for more long-term engagement.
Language: English
Language: Arabic
   
Title: Promoting EU-GCC Cooperation in Higher Education
By: Michael Bauer & Christian Koch
Publication Date: May 2009
Publisher: Gulf Research Center
Publication Category: Policy Briefs
 
   
Abstract: "Promoting EU-GCC Cooperation in Higher Education", This first policy brief released within the framework of the GRC-led Al-Jisr project for on EU-GCC Public Diplomacy and Outreach Activities, provides concrete suggestions as to how the member states of the European Union and the Gulf Cooperation Council should expand their areas of cooperation when it comes to the field of higher education. The report highlights new areas and ideas to be contemplated by officials and policy practitioners from both the European and the Gulf sides when it comes to devising new programs of cooperation in addition to outlining as to how both the EU and the GCC should seek to engage with various facets of reform efforts.
  Language: English
  Language: Arabic
   
  Title: Impasse in Euro-Gulf relations
By: Richard Youngs
Publication Date: April 2009
Publisher: FRIDE
Publication Category: Europe & Middle East / Working Paper
 
 
Abstract: The Gulf has long been a neglected area of EU foreign policy. Problems surfaced at the end of 2008 when trade negotiations between the EU and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) collapsed.
The EU has been unable to resolve the tensions between its economic and political strategies in the Gulf. The EU’s approach to economic questions has weakened its geopolitical presence; its approach to security issues dilutes efforts to promote the governance reforms needed for longer-term European strategic and economic interests. The Gulf is a region where the relative decline in European presence and influence is painfully apparent.
  Language: English
  Language: Arabic
   
  Title: Taking Stock of the EU-GCC Cooperation in Education, Science, and Technology: Conference Overview Paper
By: C·A·P and GRC
Publication Date: March 2009
Publisher: Gulf Research Center
Publication Category: Background Paper
 
   
Abstract: This paper summaries the communiqué and how the expansion of cooperation between the GCC and the European Union in areas of Education, Science and Technology, will provide better and stronger institutional cooperation and benefits. Twinning programs between national universities in the Gulf and Europe promoting the mobility of students, doctoral and post-doctoral applicants, academic and administrative staff within the two regions. In addition Higher Education Institutes will have the capacity to contribute towards the establishment of R&D, Science and Technology, partnerships and knowledge exchanges.  The paper places a recommendation for the creation of vocational training programmes.
Language: English
Language: Arabic
   
  Title: Enhancing the EU-GCC Relations within a New Climate Regime: Prospects and Opportunities for Cooperation
By: John Psarras, Alexandros Flamos, Kostas Patlitzianas
Publication Date: February 2009
Publisher: Gulf Research Center
Publication Category: Event Paper
 
 
Abstract: The energy dialogue between the European Union (EU) and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) on energy issues has been going on for over a decade now. GCC countries are major suppliers of oil and gas to EU and at the same time a market for European exports. The energy share of the total primary energy supply in the GCC countries is heavily based onfossil fuels, mainly oil and natural gas. Electricity generation is also based in fossil fuels. The countries have not yet begun to take concrete measures in the promotion of Renewable Energy Sources (RES) as well as Rational Use of Energy (RUE). However, rapid population increase and massive infrastructure development is fuelling the increasing demand for electricity throughout the region. In addition, there is a high demand for the latest technological innovations in energy related equipment across all the industry sectors, from power generation to lighting.
Language: English