Al-Budaiwi confirms that Gulf stability is an essential element in global stability
Brussels – SPA:
His Excellency the Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, Mr. Jassim Mohammed Al-Budaiwi, stressed, during a working session before the Foreign Affairs Committee of the European Parliament, that Gulf-European relations have become more important than ever in light of the current regional and international challenges, calling for upgrading them from the level of consultation to a broader practical and institutional partnership.
Al-Budaiwi, who is holding a series of contacts with senior officials in Brussels, including the President of the European Commission and the President of the European Parliament, explained that the recent security developments in the region, and the accompanying threat to sea lanes, supply chains, and energy and food security, confirm that the stability of the Gulf is not only a regional issue, but rather an essential element of global stability.
He stressed that the Strait of Hormuz must remain open and safe in accordance with international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, praising the position of the European Union which condemned the Iranian attacks on the GCC countries, through urgent meetings and political contacts with the aim of containing the escalation.
He stressed that what brings the Gulf Cooperation Council and the European Union together goes beyond crisis management to building a common vision based on respect for international law, state sovereignty, justice, and stability, calling for expanding the areas of Gulf-European cooperation to include digital transformation, artificial intelligence, protecting vital infrastructure, linking energy, transportation, and data networks, and enhancing cooperation in scientific research and innovation, considering that these files represent mutual interests that can be translated into tangible results that serve development and prosperity on both sides.
He noted the importance of parliamentary cooperation, announcing that the Council shared with the European Parliament a proposal to establish a cooperation mechanism between the Gulf Legislative Council and the European Parliament, in a way that consolidates institutional dialogue and enhances coordination on regional and international issues of common interest.
The Secretary-General pointed out that the Gulf-European relations, which have spanned nearly four decades, have reached a mature stage that calls for moving to a new level of strategic partnership. He hopes that the upcoming Gulf-European summit will yield practical results, which also include progress on issues such as exemption from the Schengen visa for Gulf citizens, and the expansion of economic, commercial and cultural cooperation.
