Parliament Speaker and Parliamentary Division Executive Committee Chairman Ahmed Al Musallam said Bahrain, under the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad, viewed the strategic partnership between the GCC and Europe as an investment in the future and a guarantee of security and sustainable development.
Mr Al Musallam made the statement as he co-chaired with European Parliament President Roberta Metsola the second parliamentary meeting between the Shura, Representatives, National and Ummah Councils of the GCC member states and the European Parliament, held in Brussels.
The meeting was attended by GCC parliamentary speakers and representatives, and Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Secretary General of the GCC.
Mr Al Musallam said GCC countries have long served, and would continue to serve, as a bridge for dialogue between East and West.
He described the partnership with the European Union (EU) as an enduring relationship based on mutual respect, shared interests and a commitment to multilateral co-operation.
The Speaker said the meeting brought together two blocs with shared values, interests and a common future, highlighting cooperation, coordination and integration as essential to security, stability and prosperity.
Mr Al Musallam warned of serious regional escalation resulting from attacks by Iran and its terrorist proxies against GCC countries and their peoples.
He said the attacks had targeted civilians and vital civilian infrastructure and disrupted international navigation through straits and waterways, in violation of international law.
He emphasised the need to deepen GCC-EU co-operation, particularly in parliamentary diplomacy and political, economic and security relations, noting that shared challenges required collective action and a sustainable strategic partnership.
The Speaker commended the EU’s position in supporting Gulf security and stability and condemning Iranian attacks.
He also called on the international community to ensure the full implementation of United Nations Security Council resolutions 2216, 2722 and 2817.
He highlighted the importance of concluding a free trade agreement between the GCC and the EU to facilitate investment, strengthen connectivity and expand co-operation in clean energy, food security, digital transformation and artificial intelligence.
He stressed that Gulf security was integral to global security, particularly freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, through which he said one-third of global energy supplies pass, as well as the Red Sea and Bab Al Mandab.
He warned that threats to these waterways would directly affect global energy supplies, trade and the world economy.
The Parliamentary Division delegation, led by Speaker Al Musallam, includes MP Ahmed Sabah Al Saloom, member of the European-Gulf Relations Committee; Shura Council member Sabeeka Khalifa Al Fadhala, member of the European-Gulf Relations Committee; MP Hasan Ebrahim Hasan; and Mohammed Ibrahim Al Sisi Al Buainain, Secretary General of the Council of Representatives and Secretary of the Executive Committee of the Parliamentary Division.
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