The relations between the EU and Kuwait have been historically strong. More recently, our bilateral relations have experienced a major impetus. Kuwait was the first country in the Gulf to sign a Cooperation Arrangement with the European External Action Service (EEAS) in July 2016. The Cooperation Arrangement provides a platform for regular political consultations covering common regional challenges in the Middle East and beyond. It also provides for sectoral consultations in the fields of energy (including clean and renewable energy), security and counter-terrorism, development cooperation and other areas of mutual interest.