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EU Reaffirms Importance of Partnership with GCC

European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas speaks with the media as she arrives for a meeting of EU foreign ministers at the European Council building in Brussels, Monday, May 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Marius Burgelman)
European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas speaks with the media as she arrives for a meeting of EU foreign ministers at the European Council building in Brussels, Monday, May 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Marius Burgelman)
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EU Reaffirms Importance of Partnership with GCC

European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas speaks with the media as she arrives for a meeting of EU foreign ministers at the European Council building in Brussels, Monday, May 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Marius Burgelman)
European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas speaks with the media as she arrives for a meeting of EU foreign ministers at the European Council building in Brussels, Monday, May 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Marius Burgelman)

The European Union reaffirmed on Monday the importance of strengthening its partnership with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries in light of escalating regional challenges, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas said during a press conference that EU foreign ministers discussed during their monthly meeting in Brussels ways to deepening strategic relations with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.

She noted that the situation in the Strait of Hormuz has further deteriorated following recent Iranian attacks, which have directly affected trade and maritime navigation.

Kallas added that the European foreign ministers also discussed the future of Operation Aspides, which aims to protect and ensure freedom of navigation, affirming that the EU intends to enhance its level of engagement and cooperation within the mission.

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Gulf

Funerals Performed in Saudi Arabia for Victims of Aramco Helicopter Crash

The funeral prayer is performed at the Al-Furqan Mosque in Dammam. (SPA)
The funeral prayer is performed at the Al-Furqan Mosque in Dammam. (SPA)
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Funerals Performed in Saudi Arabia for Victims of Aramco Helicopter Crash

The funeral prayer is performed at the Al-Furqan Mosque in Dammam. (SPA)
The funeral prayer is performed at the Al-Furqan Mosque in Dammam. (SPA)

Funerals were performed in Saudi Arabia's Eastern Region on Monday for the 14 victims of a Saudi Aramco helicopter crash.

Governor of the Eastern Region Prince Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz and Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz performed the funeral prayer for seven of the victims at Al-Furqan Mosque in Dammam. Prayers were performed for three other victims in the al-Qatif region.

The Energy Ministry and Saudi Aramco CEO Amin Nasser offered their condolences over the martyrs.

The accident occurred around 6 a.m. in Ras Tanura on Sunday, and everyone killed was a Saudi national, said the Energy Ministry in statement said. An investigation was opened into the cause of the crash.

An official source at the ministry said the aircraft was a Leonardo AW139. It was transporting oil sector workers from the underwater and offshore oil fields in the Gulf.

Gulf

Saudi Arabia Offers Condolences to Qatar after Citizen Dies Following Recent Military Operations

Illuminated skyscrapers are pictured along the corniche promenade in Doha on June 29, 2026. (AFP)
Illuminated skyscrapers are pictured along the corniche promenade in Doha on June 29, 2026. (AFP)
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Saudi Arabia Offers Condolences to Qatar after Citizen Dies Following Recent Military Operations

Illuminated skyscrapers are pictured along the corniche promenade in Doha on June 29, 2026. (AFP)
Illuminated skyscrapers are pictured along the corniche promenade in Doha on June 29, 2026. (AFP)

Saudi Arabia offered its condolences to Qatar on Monday over the death of a Qatari citizen who was injured by shrapnel resulting from the recent military operations in the region. One resident was also wounded in the incident.

The Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the Kingdom expressed its solidarity with Qatar, its government and people, extending its condolences to the family of the deceased, and wishing the injured a speedy recovery.

Qatar had on Sunday announced the death of a citizen and the injury of a resident, in a maritime incident, as a result of their being hit by shrapnel from military operations in the region.

In a statement, the Ministry of Interior said as part of routine monitoring and verification procedures for maritime vessels conducted by General Directorate of Coasts and Boarders Security, it was noted that a vessel with two individuals on board had failed to return at its scheduled time.

The Maritime Search and Rescue Team of the General Directorate of Coasts and Borders Security located the missing vessel on Sunday.

Search operations confirmed that a Qatari citizen was martyred after sustaining injuries from shrapnel resulting from the military operations in the area. An Arab resident was also injured and has been transferred to hospital for medical treatment. He is in stable condition.

Gulf

Saudi FM Kicks off Official Visit to China

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah seen in Riyadh in May 2025. (EPA)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah seen in Riyadh in May 2025. (EPA)
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Saudi FM Kicks off Official Visit to China

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah seen in Riyadh in May 2025. (EPA)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah seen in Riyadh in May 2025. (EPA)

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah arrived in Beijing on Tuesday on an official visit to China.

He is scheduled to meet with senior government officials to discuss bilateral relations and regional and international issues of common interest.