Brussels, Belgium – Top European Union and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) officials on Monday underlined their intention to deepen and strengthen the relations between the 27-member European bloc and the six-member GCC.

The officials met for the 26th EU-GCC ministerial meeting held in Brussels, which was chaired by Prince Faisal bin Farhan al Saud, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia, and Josep Borrell, European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs.

Oman was represented at the meet by H E Sheikh Khalifa al Harthy, Undersecretary in Foreign Ministry.

The officials agreed on the importance of enhancing relations between the GCC and the EU in a wide range of areas, including political dialogue, regional security, counter terrorism, trade and investment, energy, climate change, education, health and cybersecurity, and to strengthen coordination in multilateral fora. To this effect, they endorsed a Joint Cooperation Programme for the period 2022-2027. They affirmed that this partnership contributes to deepening mutual trust, achieving common interests, and maintaining regional and international security.

Exchanging views on issues of common interest, they discussed the Middle East Peace Process, the situation in Yemen, Iran, Libya, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq and Afghanistan. They stressed the strategic importance of close coordination between the GCC and the EU in this regard.

Addressing the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action talks of Vienna, the officials stressed that a full and effective implementation of the JCPOA can contribute to comprehensive and lasting efforts to ensure that the Gulf region remains permanently free of nuclear weapons and help address other regional issues.

The officials stressed the urgent need to improve the humanitarian situation in Yemen, agreed on a ceasefire without preconditions, and reach a political resolution to the conflict through negotiations facilitated by the UN, based on the GCC Initiative and its implementation mechanism, the outcomes of Yemen’s National Dialogue Conference, and UN Security Council Resolution 2216.

They underscored the importance of Saudi Arabia’s initiative for a ceasefire and political solution in Yemen.

The EU ministers expressed their condemnation in the strongest terms of the terrorist attacks launched by the Houthi rebels using missiles and drones against the UAE and the KSA, and expressed support for peaceful solutions for Yemen. They reaffirmed that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security.

The officials reiterated their concern at the lack of progress towards resolving the dispute between the UAE and the Islamic Republic of Iran over the three islands Abu Musa, Lesser Tunb and Greater Tunb.

They reiterated their support for a peaceful settlement of this dispute in accordance with international law, either through direct negotiations between the parties or by referring the matter to the International Court of Justice.