EU and Gulf leaders meet for first summit against background of Mideast turmoil

BRUSSELS (AP) — The leaders of the European Union and six Gulf nations are meeting in an inaugural summit against a backdrop of turmoil in the Middle East and struggles to find a unified position on the war in Ukraine. The summit is expected to last just a few hours and encompass everything from visas and trade to the situation in the Middle East, and is unlikely to yield more than general commitments to improve cooperation. Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo said the summit was “long overdue” and the economic ties between the European Union and the Gulf countries need to be strengthened. The 27-nation EU has long had relations with the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council, which include Qatar, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Oman and Kuwait.