Their Excellencies the Speakers of the Shura, Representatives, National, and Ummah Councils of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries held a meeting with Her Excellency the President of the European Parliament on Monday, 27th of Dhu al-Hijjah 1446 H, corresponding to June 23, 2025, in the city of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The meeting was attended by:
His Excellency Mr Saqr Ghobash
President of the Federal National Council - United Arab Emirates
Her Excellency Ms Roberta Metsola
President of the European Parliament
His Excellency Mr Ahmed bin Salman Al Musallam
Speaker of the Council of Representatives - Kingdom of Bahrain
His Excellency Shaikh Dr Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Ibrahim Al Al Shaikh
Speaker of the Shura Council - Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
His Excellency Shaikh Khalid bin Hilal Al Maawali
Chairman of the Shura Council - Sultanate of Oman
His Excellency Mr Yousef bin Ali bin Yousef Al Khater
Member of the Shura Council - Chairman of the Internal and External Affairs Committee - State of Qatar
The meeting was also attended by His Excellency Mr Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi
Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)
The following statement was issued from the meeting:
At the beginning of the meeting, Their Excellencies and the President of the European Parliament extended their highest thanks and great gratitude to His Highness Shaikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates for the generous hospitality and warm reception they received, which had a significant impact on the success of this meeting and the achievement of constructive outcomes that support and enhance joint Gulf-European cooperation.
They also extended their thanks and appreciation to the United Arab Emirates, its government and people, for hosting this fruitful meeting, and to the Federal National Council, headed by His Excellency Mr Saqr Ghobash, for the kind invitation and excellent organisation.
The attendees praised the strength of the relations and the existing strategic partnership between the GCC countries and the European Union, which are based on mutual respect, cooperation, and common interests, thereby enhancing 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," constitute a roadmap and a renewed impetus for strengthening and developing bilateral relations and the existing partnership. They also stressed the importance of moving forward in activating channels of parliamentary dialogue, exchanging parliamentary visits and expertise, and consulting on regional and international issues of common interest.
They expressed the importance of intensifying joint efforts to establish cooperative frameworks to face current challenges, including climate change, energy security, sustainable development, combating terrorism and extremism, and promoting universal human values of coexistence and tolerance.
The attendees praised the results of the Gulf-European Parliamentary Committee meeting with the European Parliament's Delegation for relations with the Arabian Peninsula, which was held on February 26, 2025, in Abu Dhabi, where it was agreed to hold joint meetings to activate channels of organised dialogue on topics of common interest within the framework of the strategic partnership between the two sides.
During the meeting, the attendees discussed the accelerating and alarming developments, particularly in the Gaza Strip and the Middle East region. They underscored the necessity of protecting civilians, civilian infrastructure, and health institutions under international law, warning of the dire consequences of this escalation and its impact on international peace and security and on the stability of the region and the world.
They stressed the need to immediately stop the violations, protect lives, and ensure 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 is the only way to achieve a just and comprehensive peace.
The attendees also discussed the international efforts to end the war in Ukraine and renewed their active commitment to ending the conflict. They expressed their great welcome for the efforts of the Gulf countries in supporting the ceasefire, enhancing maritime security in the Black Sea, and providing humanitarian support to Ukraine, including the exchange of prisoners of war and the reunification of families, stressing that this war is causing great human suffering and increasing the fragility of regional security.
In light of the current military developments in the Arabian Gulf region, both sides stressed the need to de-escalate tensions, contain conflicts, prioritise wisdom, and enhance dialogue and diplomacy as the way to protect regional and international security and stability.
Both sides expressed their aspiration to continue this constructive strategic dialogue, recognising the pivotal role that parliaments play in strengthening Gulf-European relations, by holding an annual meeting 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 His Highness Shaikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan for the generous care received by the participating delegations, which had a great impact on the success of this meeting. They also expressed their gratitude to His Excellency Mr Saqr Ghobash, President of the Federal National Council, for the distinguished efforts he made, along with the members of the Council and the General Secretariat, in preparation and organisation.
Thanks were also extended to the General Secretariat of the Cooperation Council for its role in coordinating and arranging this event, wishing everyone continued success and progress.
The Speakers of the Shura, Representatives, National, and Ummah Councils of the GCC
The President of the European Parliament
Issued on Monday
27th of Dhu al-Hijjah 1446 H
Corresponding to June 23, 2025