GCC Chief Discusses Iranian Aggression against Council States with EU Gulf Envoy

Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi.
Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi.
TT

GCC Chief Discusses Iranian Aggression against Council States with EU Gulf Envoy

Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi.
Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi.

GCC Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi received European Union (EU) Special Representative for the Gulf Region Luigi Di Maio on Wednesday at the general secretariat’s headquarters in Riyadh, the Saudi Press Agency said Thursday.

During the meeting, the two sides discussed the grave Iranian attacks on the GCC states, describing them as a blatant threat to regional and international security. They noted that the attacks have caused loss of life and significant material damage, directly endangering civilian safety and security.

The GCC secretary-general reaffirmed the provisions of the joint statement issued by the GCC-EU Joint Ministerial Meeting regarding the Iranian attacks on council states.

He emphasized the vital importance of maintaining the integrity of regional airspace, sea lanes, and the freedom of navigation—including the Strait of Hormuz and Bab El-Mandeb—to ensure the security of supply chains and the stability of global energy markets.

For his part, the EU special representative expressed the solidarity of EU member states with the GCC. He strongly denounced the repeated Iranian aggression against the council states and their negative impact on the security and stability of the region.



Saudi Foreign Minister, Gulf Counterparts Discuss Regional Developments

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah
TT

Saudi Foreign Minister, Gulf Counterparts Discuss Regional Developments

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah spoke by phone with UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, during which they discussed developments in the region.

Prince Faisal also spoke by phone on Monday with Qatari PM and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani to discuss regional developments.


GCC Secretary-General Receives Ambassador of Ukraine to Saudi Arabia

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi
Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi
TT

GCC Secretary-General Receives Ambassador of Ukraine to Saudi Arabia

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi
Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi met in Riyadh Monday Ambassador of Ukraine to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Anatolii Petrenko.

During the meeting, several topics were discussed, most notably reviewing cooperation relations between the GCC and Ukraine in areas of common interest, based on the Joint Action Plan between the two sides (2025-2030), and ways to enhance them to serve the desired objectives.

They also exchanged views on a number of regional and international issues, SPA reported.

The GCC secretary-general also emphasized during the meeting the GCC's position on the Ukrainian-Russian crisis, which is based on the principles of international law and the Charter of the United Nations, and on preserving the international order based on respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of states, non-interference in their internal affairs, and the non-use of force or the threat thereof.


Qatar FM Urges US, Iran to be Open to Mediation in Call with Iranian FM

Qatari flag flutters in Doha - AAWSAT/File
Qatari flag flutters in Doha - AAWSAT/File
TT

Qatar FM Urges US, Iran to be Open to Mediation in Call with Iranian FM

Qatari flag flutters in Doha - AAWSAT/File
Qatari flag flutters in Doha - AAWSAT/File

Qatar's foreign minister told his Iranian counterpart on Monday that Iran and the United States should engage positively with mediation efforts, warning that maritime routes must not be used as "bargaining tools".

Qatari Foreign Minister and Premier Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani "stressed the importance of all parties responding positively to the ongoing mediation efforts," in a call with Abbas Araghchi, AFP reported.

"He also emphasized the need to open maritime routes, guarantee freedom of navigation, and refrain from using them as a tool for pressure or bargaining," according to a statement released by the foreign ministry.