The GCC and European nations, especially The Netherlands, can work closely together to enhance local production of arms and weaponry to help consolidate regional security, a top Dutch official said.
Dutch Defence Minister Ruben Brekelmans was at the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) Manama Dialogue, where he spoke during the Third Plenary Session titled ‘The Geopolitics of Energy: Technology, Trade and Power.’
Following the session, he spoke with the GDN, where he praised Bahrain’s hosting of the Manama Dialogue 2025, highlighting its role in enhancing security ties between the GCC and Europe.
“Events like this are extremely important,” he said. “Security in the Middle East and that in Europe are very much interconnected.
“For a mid-sized country like The Netherlands, we know we are not able to solve all the issues in the region on our own.
“Even a limited contribution is important, and the same is true the other way around, for example if they can help us with Ukraine.
“It will be in our joint interest to enhance stability. We have some good partners here in the region, and we have been working together for many years.
“Events like the Manama Dialogue 2025 always provide more opportunities for co-operation, whether on the security or industrial side.”
Since 2018, GCC states have begun focusing on localisation of arms production to align with their economic diversification plans and strengthen strategic autonomy.
European defence firms have also been doing the same, expanding their efforts to enhance security in their region.
Mr Brekelmans stated that there was room for co-operation between the GCC as well as The Netherlands and the rest of Europe to enhance security in the Middle East.
Perhaps ‘going Dutch’ may be the solution, a popular English saying when people share the cost of something, equally – whether that’s financially or intellectually, or both, in this case scenario.
“We need to make sure we ramp up our industries” he said. “In Europe, industrial production is growing faster than ever, but not fast enough, and it is the same in the Middle East.
“There are different types of synergies we can find when it comes to arms production and defence, not only in traditional weaponry such as grenades or ammunition, but also in dual use technology.
“For example, we can work together on radar systems, sensors and artificial intelligence.
“I know there are some countries here in the GCC that are very innovative, or they are leading in related fields and sectors.
“So I am sure there are some things we can work on together to make both our regions more secure.”
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