Structural analysis of the Gulf Cooperation Council and the European Union : aspects of their relationship and their mutual environment

The objective of this study is to develop a structural analysis of the relationship. In addition it investigates the capability of the EU in playing an effective role in the region through strengthening security and political cooperation with the Gulf Cooperation states. As a result of the study it seems that economic integration is the most successful in any regional grouping, especially if this assembly includes similar economies and political structures. Political and security or military integration between regional groupings prove most complex as these issues represent the identity and sovereignty of the State. States do not wish to let them to be run by an outside constituency as they symbolize the pride of the state individuality. This could be seen from the failure of the EU in ratifying the Constitution and Lisbon Treaties. For the GCC their political cooperation is limited to coordination through their annual Supreme Council Summit, the annual consultation meetings of the heads of states and quadrate Ministerial Council meetings. In the military integration of the GCC formed forces faced obstacles including limited personnel, the quality of training and standardization of procurement of military weapons. The study concluded that cooperation between the GCC and the EU does not reflect the importance of their economic, historical ties and geographical proximity even though the GCC represents a geostrategic magnitude to the European Union reflected in being a source of energy and a pivotal connection between the three continents (Europe, Africa and Asia).EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo