GCC, EU Diplomats Meet French Presidential Adviser to Discuss Regional Developments

Ambassadors from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and their European Union counterparts held talks with Dora Cattuti, Adviser to the President of France for Middle East and North Africa Affairs, focusing on recent regional developments and ways to strengthen cooperation.

The GCC delegation was led by Essam Abdulaziz Al Jassim, Ambassador to France, while the EU side was headed by Pavlos Kombos, Ambassador of Cyprus, whose country currently holds the Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

During the meeting, Ambassador Al Jassim highlighted the importance of the strategic GCC-EU partnership in supporting shared interests and promoting international peace and security. He stressed the need to expand cooperation in key areas such as regional security, maritime safety, and energy security, as well as addressing emerging challenges.

He reiterated Bahrain’s condemnation of Iranian attacks targeting the Kingdom and other GCC countries, describing them as a serious threat to regional stability. He also pointed to the risks associated with disruptions to navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and their potential impact on global trade and energy supplies.

Ambassador Al Jassim welcomed ongoing international efforts to reduce tensions, underscoring the importance of continued coordination to address current challenges and safeguard regional stability.

For his part, Ambassador Kombos reaffirmed the strength of EU-GCC relations, describing the partnership as a model of cooperation between regional blocs based on shared interests and a common vision for peace and stability. He emphasised the importance of enhancing political dialogue and multilateral cooperation.

Dora Cattuti highlighted France’s and the EU’s support for GCC countries and commended the level of existing collaboration. She also noted plans for a joint conference with the United Kingdom to address maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz, given its significance to global trade and energy flows.

Participants concluded by stressing that stronger GCC-EU cooperation remains essential to addressing shared challenges, with dialogue and joint action seen as key to ensuring regional and international stability.