GCC Secretary General Calls for a New Gulf-European Partnership Track to Address Common Challenges

The Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Jassem Al-Budaiwi, called on Monday for launching a new track of Gulf-European partnership to address shared challenges, noting that the Third Regional Security Forum between the GCC and the European Union is of paramount importance amid the unprecedented escalation witnessed in the region.

This came in a speech delivered by Al-Budaiwi during his participation in the forum held in the Belgian capital, Brussels, attended by Bahraini Foreign Minister Dr. Abdul Latif Al Zayani, who chairs the current term of the GCC Ministerial Council, and European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, Kaja Kallas.

Al-Budaiwi stated that Iran continues to choose escalation over diplomacy and dialogue, clarifying that GCC member states support the path of dialogue and diplomacy and look forward to exploring ways for sincere consultation and close coordination with the European side to deal with Iran’s dangerous behavior in the region.

He added that the time has come for the strategic Gulf-European partnership to embark on a new path based on the foundation laid in 1988, especially in light of the challenges posed by developments over the past few months.

He explained that Iranian attacks on oil facilities in GCC countries and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz have triggered global economic repercussions, noting that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has lowered its global growth forecast for 2026 to 3.1 percent due to the war and disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, through which about one-fifth of global oil supplies pass.

He pointed out that the effects of these developments have extended to Europe, which has suffered a second energy sector shock within four years, explaining that the regional crisis has turned into a global one, affecting both Gulf and European economies.

Al-Budaiwi emphasized that these threats necessitate reinforcing relations between the GCC and the EU, enabling both sides to respond jointly rather than acting individually.

He outlined six proposed priorities to enhance Gulf-European relations, including coordinating political and diplomatic efforts, strengthening cooperation in regional security, accelerating work on trade corridors and alternative routes, cooperation in the energy sector, drawing lessons from the current crisis, and enhancing people-to-people ties by accelerating visa-free mobility.

Al-Budaiwi concluded his speech by stressing that the partnership with Europe should extend beyond security cooperation to achieve genuine integration that makes the peoples of both sides safer and their economies more resilient and stable.