Helsinki Policy Forum, Steering Group Meeting- 5 July 2023

The Helsinki Policy Forum Steering Group met in Helsinki on the 5th of July. Officials from Finland, Germany, Iran, Ireland, Jordan, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Sweden, Türkiye, the UAE, the UK participated.This meeting provided an important opportunity to exchange insights from the Gulf-MENA region and Europe following critical developments that have taken place in the region since the Steering Group last met in March, most notably the restoration of diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran on the 10th of March.The ever-evolving relationship between Europe and the Gulf-MENA region was debated extensively in light of recent developments.Important themes included the rapprochement between Saudi Arabia and Iran and the role that China might now play in the region, the deteriorating situation in Sudan and Palestine, the risks associated with a non-resolution of the JCPOA and Syria’s readmission to the Arab League.The Steering Group was updated on the work of the Helsinki Policy Forum's Environment, Energy and Economy Working Group. Since December 2022, the EEE Working Group has been working to support countries in the Gulf-MENA region to develop strategies to tackle sand and dust storms.