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"This partnership is based on mutual respect and common interests, with its foundations laid by the Cooperation Agreement signed by both parties in 1988. Its principles were further reinforced by their first joint summit held late last year, reflecting the depth of ties between the two organisations, which extend for nearly four decades to serve our priorities and shared goals." His Excellency said.  

These remarks came during the 29th Joint Ministerial Council meeting between the GCC and the EU, held today, Monday, October 6, 2025, in the State of Kuwait. The meeting was co-chaired by His Excellency Abdullah Ali Al Yahya, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Kuwait and President of the current session of the GCC Ministerial Council, and Her Excellency Ms Kaja Kallas, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission (Ms Lotte Machon, Minister of State for Foreign Policy of the Kingdom of Denmark), with the attendance of Their Excellencies the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the GCC and EU countries.

At the beginning of his speech, His Excellency praised the progress and growth witnessed in the distinguished Gulf-European relations. He urged the continuation of diligent work with the European side by developing joint Gulf-European action mechanisms to collectively achieve more tangible accomplishments and meaningful, constructive projects that benefit the countries and peoples of our two regions at all levels.

His Excellency stated that although this is the 29th joint ministerial meeting between the GCC and the EU, it holds a special significance as it is the 1st ministerial-level meeting held by the two sides since the 1st Gulf-European Summit. 

"The Cooperation Council attaches exceptional importance to continuing the implementation of the summit's outcomes, which established a clear roadmap for more fruitful cooperation. During the summit, our leaders expressed their ambitious hopes and aspirations for this plan, and we continue to work diligently to translate it into practical and tangible steps concerning the following: enhancing economic partnership, trade, and investment exchanges; expanding cooperation in energy and the green transition; developing political consultations and security cooperation; addressing global challenges, including climate change; resolving conflicts and settling disputes; and strengthening relations between the peoples of the two regions." His Excellency stated. 

His Excellency stressed that the effective implementation of the summit's outcomes would achieve the common vision, proving that our strategic partnership is embodied by a practical commitment to building a more secure, stable, and prosperous future for both regions. 

He emphasised the continuation of diligent work with "our reliable European partner" to ensure a periodic and effective follow-up on the implementation of those outcomes to achieve the desired results in a tangible and operational manner on the ground.

His Excellency Mr Albudaiwi also expressed his aspiration to continue working on developing practical and serious measures to achieve a full visa exemption between the Schengen Area in the EU and the GCC countries. He stated that this step would not only facilitate travel procedures between the two regions but also create broader prospects for trade, investment, academic, cultural, and tourism exchanges. 

"This, in its entirety, supports sustainable economic growth, enhances human ties, and strengthens the bridges of understanding between the Gulf and Europe, especially since Gulf citizens have proven that their presence in EU countries is a positive one with numerous benefits for European nations." His Excellency highlighted

Moreover, His Excellency pointed to the two proposals submitted by the GCC General Secretariat to the European side, which include holding the 1st Energy Forum between the two sides, in addition to organising a forum on the digital economy and digital trade in joint coordination between the upcoming European presidency, Cyprus, the Cooperation Council, and the Digital Cooperation Organisation (DCO).

In a related context, His Excellency explained that this meeting is taking place amidst extremely complex regional and international circumstances and highly dangerous military escalations. "These conditions require us to redouble our joint efforts to end all armed conflicts and to support peaceful, political, and diplomatic solutions based on constructive dialogue and negotiations." His Excellency indicated, adding: "We emphasised our condemnation of the Israeli aggression and its blatant violation of the sovereignty of the State of Qatar. We consider this treacherous act a dangerous escalation and a clear violation of international law. It undermines the tireless and internationally and regionally valued efforts made by the State of Qatar in its mediation to secure a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the release of hostages.

"We firmly underscore the Gulf unity and solidarity with our sister, Qatar. This is demonstrated by the countermeasures taken against this aggression, including the emergency Arab-Islamic Summit and the emergency Gulf Summit, in addition to the extraordinary meeting of the Joint Defense Council and the urgent meeting of the GCC Supreme Military Committee. All of these meetings were hosted by the city of Doha with the aim of discussing the Israeli aggression against the State of Qatar, affirming that the security of the GCC states is indivisible, and that an attack on any one of them is an attack on all."

On the pivotal Palestinian cause, His Excellency the Secretary General underlined the joint statement of the Presidency of the High-Level International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Palestinian Cause and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution, issued on September 22, 2025, which emphasises the need for a permanent ceasefire, the release of all hostages, the exchange of prisoners, ensuring unhindered access for humanitarian aid to all parts of Gaza, and the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip. 

His Excellency further commented: “In this context, we appreciate the commendable efforts made by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the French Republic to advance the political process towards a just and comprehensive solution based on the two-state solution. We welcome the announcement by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Belgium, Denmark, France, Iceland, Ireland, Japan, Norway, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom of the launch of the Emergency Coalition for Financial Sustainability of the Palestinian Authority, which comes in response to the unprecedented financial crisis facing the Palestinian Authority."

“On the other hand, regarding ending the war in Gaza, we welcome the plan announced by His Excellency President Donald Trump, President of the United States of America, and all regional and international efforts and initiatives aimed at ending this crisis and putting an end to the humanitarian disaster in the Gaza Strip, and we support everything we hope will lead to a solution to this unprecedented humanitarian crisis,” he remarked. 

His Excellency the Secretary General also touched on the Syrian issue, welcoming the announcement by the Syrian Arab Republic of a roadmap to resolve the crisis in As-Suwayda Governorate, praising the efforts made by the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and the United States of America in this context, reaffirming the GCC’s support for all steps taken by the Syrian government to enhance its security and stability, and preserve its capabilities and territorial integrity. 

Regarding the Ukrainian issue, His Excellency the Secretary General stated: “Since the outbreak of the war there, the GCC has adopted a position based on the principles of international law, the Charter of the United Nations and the international system based on the approach of respecting the sovereignty of states and the integrity of their territories, non-interference in their internal affairs and non-use of force or threat thereof, with its full belief that a peaceful settlement through dialogue and negotiations and non-military escalation is the only way to resolve the crisis.”

Commenting further on this matter he said: “Within the framework of the GCC General Secretariat’s participation in the work of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, we adopted, during a meeting held by the General Secretariat with the Ukrainian side in New York last month, a plan for joint action between the GCC and Ukraine for the period 2025-2030, which includes detailed proposals for cooperation in various fields. We will work to implement this plan through continued coordination and consultations with the Ukrainian side.”

At the end of his speech, His Excellency the Secretary General expressed his hope that the Gulf-European partnership will achieve its desired goals and yield tangible results that will crown this distinguished strategic partnership. He also expressed his hope that these results will extend to the peoples of the Gulf and Europe, who serve as the main catalyst and driving force behind this partnership and its successes.