EU policy logically links the ENP, the Mediterranean Partnership and the Middle East peace process in different overarching policy frameworks together. Relations with the Gulf Cooperation Countries (GCC), Iran, Iraq and Yemen, in contrast, are bilateral in nature. However in 2004, in the aftermath of the invasion of Iraq, the EU envisioned enhancing cooperation with the GCC in the framework of the Strategic Partnership for the Mediterranean and the Middle East. A Cooperation Agreement between the EC and the GCC had already been signed in 1989. This agreement foresees annual joint EU-GCC ministerial meetings. As early as 1990, EU and GCC countries foresaw the creation of a Free Trade Area but negotiations proved difficult, although they have accelerated since 2002.

EU relations with Iraq were restructured after the US-led military intervention in 2003. The EU supported the transition to democracy by assisting in the elections and engaging Iraq’s neighbours. Further steps were talks on a Trade and Cooperation Agreement, the opening of a Delegation in Baghdad, the engagement in the Iraqi police mission EUJUST-LEX, and the critical role the EU played in the International Reconstruction Fund Facility for Iraq (IRFFI).

EU relations with Iran got off to a new start after Mohammad Khatami was elected president in 1997. Negotiations on a Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) and Political Dialogue Agreement (PDA) were linked with success in the Human Rights Dialogue. However, Iran had suspended the Comprehensive Dialogue by December 2003. The pending nuclear issue changed the relationship with the EU. From then on, the Iranian nuclear issue overwhelmed all other aspects of bilateral relations between the EU and Iran. It is widely believed that the handling of the Iranian nuclear issue has become the most important test case for CFSP.