Trade Sustainability Impact Assessment (SIA) in support of Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations between the European Union and the Gulf Cooperation Council countries

Objectives: The European Union has embarked on negotiations to establish a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, which include Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. The central goal of the FTA is to eliminate trade and investment barriers, improve market access in goods and services, and bolster regulatory cooperation, ultimately fostering a thriving trade and investment environment between the EU and the GCC. This collaboration aims to enhance supply chain diversification, promote digital and green transitions, and strengthen the EU's strategic presence in the Gulf region. Underpinning the negotiations is a Sustainability Impact Assessment (SIA) to evaluate the economic, social, environmental, and human rights impacts of the trade agreements, ensuring that the resulting policies align with sustainable development and respect for human rights.