Abu Dhabi, June (پاکستان پوائنٹ نیوز 24 يونيو 2025ء) The meeting was also attended by President of the Federal National Council of the UAE Saqr Ghobash; Kingdom of Bahrain Council of Representatives Speaker Ahmed bin Salman Al Musallam; Sultanate of Oman Shura Council Chairman Sheikh Khalid bin Hilal Al Maawali; State of Qatar Shura Council member and Internal and External Affairs Committee Chairman Yousef bin Ali bin Yousef Al Khater; and Secretary-General of the GCC Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi.
At the outset, Their Excellencies and the president of the European Parliament extended their highest thanks and appreciation to President of the United Arab Emirates Shaikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan for the generous hospitality and warm welcome, which significantly contributed to the success of the meeting and the achievement of constructive outcomes that support and enhance Gulf-European cooperation.
They also extended their gratitude to the United Arab Emirates—its government and people—for hosting this fruitful meeting, and to the Federal National Council, chaired by President Saqr Ghobash, for the kind invitation and excellent organisation.
The attendees commended the strength of the relations and the strategic partnership between the GCC countries and the European Union, which are based on mutual respect, cooperation, and shared interests that enhance security, stability, development, and prosperity for both sides.
Both sides affirmed that the outcomes of the first Gulf-European Summit, held on October 16, 2024, in Brussels, Belgium, under the theme "A Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity," represent a roadmap and renewed impetus for strengthening and advancing bilateral relations and the existing partnership. They stressed the importance of activating channels of parliamentary dialogue, exchanging visits and expertise, and consulting on regional and international issues of common interest.
They underscored the importance of intensifying joint efforts to develop cooperative frameworks to address current challenges, including climate change, energy security, sustainable development, counterterrorism and anti-extremism efforts, and the promotion of universal human values of coexistence and tolerance.
The attendees praised the outcomes of the Gulf-European Parliamentary Committee’s meeting with the Delegation for relations with the Arabian Peninsula in the European Parliament, held on February 26, 2025, in Abu Dhabi, during which both sides agreed to hold joint meetings to activate organised dialogue on topics of common interest within the framework of the strategic partnership.
The meeting also addressed the accelerating and concerning developments in Gaza Strip and the middle East. The participants stressed the need to protect civilians, civilian infrastructure, and health institutions under international law, warning of the grave consequences of continued escalation on international peace and security, as well as on regional and global stability.
They stressed the need for an immediate end to violations, the protection of lives, and the safe, immediate, and sustainable delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza. They called for a ceasefire in the Strip and the release of hostages and detainees, affirming that the two-state solution remains the only path to achieving a just and comprehensive peace.
The meeting also reviewed international efforts to end the war in Ukraine, and participants reaffirmed their active commitment to ending the conflict. They welcomed the efforts of the Gulf countries to support a ceasefire, enhance maritime security in the Black Sea, and provide humanitarian assistance to Ukraine, including the exchange of prisoners of war and the reunification of families. They emphasized that the war has caused significant human suffering and increased the fragility of regional security.
In light of current military developments in the Arabian Gulf region, both sides stressed the importance of de-escalation, conflict containment, prioritizing wisdom, and reinforcing dialogue and diplomacy as the means to protect regional and international security and stability.
Both sides expressed their aspiration to continue this constructive strategic dialogue, acknowledging the pivotal role that parliaments play in strengthening Gulf-European relations by holding annual meetings between the two sides.
At the conclusion of the meeting, Their Excellencies and the president of the European Parliament sent a cable of thanks and appreciation to President Shaikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan for the generous care extended to the participating delegations, which had a great impact on the meeting’s success. They also expressed their gratitude to Saqr Ghobash for his distinguished efforts, along with the members of the council and the General Secretariat of the GCC, in preparing and organizing the meeting and to the General Secretariat for its role in coordination and arrangement.
