Foreign Affairs ‏Minister participates in joint GCC-EU meeting

Muscat, Oct. 10 (BNA): Dr. Abdul Latif bin Rashid Al Zayani, the Minister of Foreign Affairs participated in the 27th GCC-EU Joint Council and Ministerial Meeting held in Oman.

The meeting was co-chaired by Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood Albusaidi, Oman's Foreign Affairs Minister, and Josep Borrell, the High Representative of the European Union (EU) for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.

Jassem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), was present.

Al Zayani affirmed that this meeting was an opportunity to further enhance the strong ties between the GCC and the EU as well as unifying the efforts to overcome the regional and European challenges.

The GCC and the EU share a common goal: to achieve lasting peace in the world, where stability and security lead to development and prosperity, he added.

The world is currently at a critical juncture, necessitating comprehensive and collective measures from both parties to tackle the current crises and challenges, Al Zayani said.

The Ministerial Council discussed cooperation, regional security, and climate change.

The GCC and the EU expressed their satisfaction with the progress made in strengthening their strategic partnership, emphasising its importance in addressing regional and international peace, security, and economic challenges.


The Joint Council expressed concern over the dangerous developments in Israel and Gaza's, condemning attacks against civilians, calling for protection, restraint, hostage release, and humanitarian law-compliant access to essentials.

The EU and GCC ministers have emphasised the need for a political solution to prevent violence and urged restraint and communication among all parties involved.

The Joint Council praised Saudi Arabia, the EU, and the Arab League to revive the Middle East peace process in collaboration with Egypt and Jordan.