GCC, EU discuss security and ties
BRUSSELS: Kuwait Deputy Foreign Minister Ambassador Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah participated in a high-level forum on regional security convened by the European Union in the duchy of Luxembourg. The event witnessed the participation of member states from both the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the European Union (EU), which focused on enhancing regional security and stability through cooperation and coordination efforts. The Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, Jasem Al-Budaiwi, explored with the High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrel, the relations between the GCC and EU. The Secretariat General of the GCC said in a statement that the discussions were held by the two men in Luxembourg on the sidelines of the High-Level Forum on Regional Security and Cooperation between the EU and the GCC, where they addressed the forum’s agenda.
Al-Budaiwi emphasized that the meeting also served as a platform to review the relations between the GCC and the EU and to discuss issues of mutual interest in addressing common challenges and strengthening dialogue and cooperation across various fields. Moreover, he noted that the meeting also witnessed an exchange of views on the situation in the Middle East, particularly in light of recent developments and escalations in the region. He stressed the agreement and commitment of both sides to the importance of supporting efforts to achieve peace and stability in the region and to work on urging all parties concerned to de-escalate tensions. The meeting concluded with both sides reaffirming their commitment to continued communication and joint work between the GCC and the EU to elevate relations to levels that serve the common interests of both sides and contribute to enhancing regional and international stability.
Meanwhile, the EU Foreign Affairs Council discussed on Monday the situation in the Middle East, with particular attention to the ever-worsening humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip and the risk of escalation in the wider region. The Council once again stressed that everyone in the region needs to exercise restraint and take steps to de-escalate. Further steps were agreed in relation to Iran’s destabilizing activities in the region.
Josep Borrell, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, said in the press conference at the end of the meeting that they “have reached a political agreement in order to enlarge and expand the existing drone regime to impose sanctions on Iran in order to cover missiles and their potential transfers to Russia; this includes missile production; second, to expand the geographical area of this framework to cover drone and missile deliveries not only to Russia but to the whole region of the Middle East and the Red Sea; and third, to expand the list of prohibited drone components.”