GCC and European Parliament diplomatic cooperation

Heads of Gulf legislative councils met in Brussels to coordinate strategies for strengthening parliamentary cooperation and partnerships with the European Parliament. The discussions focused on enhancing parliamentary diplomacy, economic and developmental partnerships, and security issues to support foreign relations between the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and international blocs.

Following these meetings, both parties called for a strengthened strategic partnership to address challenges in security, energy, and trade. Participants emphasized the importance of protecting maritime, land, air, and digital transport routes, noting that disruptions in the Red Sea and the Strait of Hormuz highlight the interdependence of European and Gulf prosperity.

While ministerial working groups continue to operate via digital channels to maintain momentum on trade and technology frameworks, the second EU-GCC Summit in Riyadh has been postponed due to security concerns, including a missile strike on King Khalid International Airport.

In subsequent discussions in Brussels, parliamentary leaders reiterated the need for secure connections to protect trade and investment, specifically noting that disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea are attributed to Iranian activities and proxy forces.

Concurrently, during a ministerial meeting in Manama, the GCC issued a statement condemning Houthi attacks on civilian airports and critical infrastructure in Saudi Arabia. The council called for increased political and military pressure on the Houthis, including stricter arms embargoes and designating the group as a terrorist organization. The GCC also held Iran responsible for missile and drone attacks against GCC member states and Jordan, demanding an immediate cessation of these actions and compensation for damages. Despite these tensions, GCC foreign ministers expressed a desire to return to diplomacy to resolve the crisis between the United States and Iran.