Gulf-European Agreement on the Importance of Stopping the War and Stabilizing the Region

SadaNews - Gulf Cooperation Council foreign ministers and their counterparts in the European Union agreed to intensify joint diplomatic efforts to reach a permanent solution that prevents Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, and halts the production and proliferation of Iranian ballistic missiles, drones, and any other technologies that threaten the security of the region and the world.

The ministers also agreed during a video conference meeting held on Thursday on the necessity for Iran to cease its destabilizing activities in the region and in Europe, ultimately allowing the Iranian people to determine their own fate.

The ministers condemned in the strongest terms Iran’s unjustified attacks on the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, which constitute a blatant threat to regional and international security. They demanded that Iran immediately stop these attacks unconditionally.

The meeting was chaired by Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain and Chairman of the current ministerial council session, with participation from the foreign ministers of the member states, Jassem Al Budaiwi, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, and from the European side, Josep Borrell, the High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, and Vice-President of the European Commission, alongside other EU foreign ministers.

Josep Borrell stated in press remarks that Iran is trying to export war and expand its scope to as many countries in the region as possible, aiming to create chaos. He highlighted the consensus between the European Union and the Arab Gulf states on stabilizing the region and stopping the war.

The foreign ministers affirmed the right of the Gulf states to take all necessary measures to defend their security and stability, protect their territories, citizens, and residents, aiming to restore international peace and security.

The European Union also reiterated its solidarity with the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, emphasizing the crucial importance of the strategic partnership between the Council and the EU, which arises from the cooperation agreement of 1988, further reinforced by the outcomes of the Cooperation Council summit with the EU in Brussels in October 2024.

The ministers reiterated their firm positions demanding that Iran curb its nuclear program and ballistic missile program, cease its destabilizing activities in the region and in Europe, and stop the systematic violence it commits against its own people.

The ministers also discussed the significant damage caused by the recent Iranian indiscriminate attacks on GCC countries, which targeted civilian infrastructure, including oil facilities, service facilities, and residential areas, resulting in significant material losses and posing a direct threat to the security, safety, and lives of civilians.

The attendees praised the intensive diplomatic efforts made by the EU and its members, along with the Gulf Cooperation Council states, in the pre-attack phase, and highlighted the Council's commitment not to allow its territories to be used as a platform for launching attacks against Iran.

The ministers reaffirmed the importance of maintaining the integrity of the regional airspace and maritime corridors, ensuring freedom of navigation, including in the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el Mandeb, and securing supply chains and the stability of global energy markets.

The foreign ministers emphasized that the security and stability of the Gulf region represent essential pillars for the stability of the global economy, confirming the close interrelation between the security of the Gulf region and European and global security.

In this context, the ministers acknowledged the significant importance of the EU's maritime defensive operation "EUNAVFOR" and operation "Atalanta" in securing vital waterways and reducing the disruptions faced by supply chains, urging the need to enhance coordination in support of these operations, emphasizing the need to maintain the integrity of the regional airspace and maritime corridors, and ensure energy security and nuclear safety.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the European Union expressed its gratitude to the Gulf Cooperation Council countries for their hospitality and assistance extended to EU citizens present on their territories, affirming their determination to make every effort to ensure the safe departure of their citizens, in close coordination with the Gulf Cooperation Council countries.