GCC, EU issue statement affirming commitment to stability of region

Doha, Qatar: The foreign ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the European Union (EU) called yesterday for dialogue and diplomacy to re...

Doha, Qatar: The foreign ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the European Union (EU) called yesterday for dialogue and diplomacy to resolve the repercussions of the crisis in the Middle East, while emphasizing the GCC states’ right to self defense.

In a joint statement issued after an extraordinary meeting held virtually today, the ministers affirmed their commitment to the stability of the region, calling for the protection of civilians and full adherence to international law, the principles of international humanitarian law, and the Charter of the United Nations. They underscored the significance of the strategic partnership between the EU and the GCC, established under the 1988 Cooperation Agreement and re-confirmed with the EU-GCC Brussels Summit in October 2024.

The Ministers strongly condemned the unjustifiable Iranian attacks against the GCC countries which threaten regional and global security and called on Iran to cease immediately its attacks. The European Union reaffirmed its solidarity with the countries of the GCC.

The statement said that the ministers reiterated their commitment to regional stability and called for protection of civilians and full respect of international law, international humanitarian law and the obligation to abide by the principles of the United Nations Charter. They recalled that they consistently urged Iran to curb its nuclear programme and ballistic missile programme, refrain from destabilising activities in the region and in Europe, and to cease the appalling violence against its own people.

The Ministers discussed the significant damage caused by the recent indiscriminate Iranian attacks against the GCC member states, which targeted civilian infrastructure, including oil facilities, service facilities and residential areas