The joint statement issued following a meeting of GCC legislative council leaders and the European Parliament emphasised that the partnership between Europe and the Gulf remains a lasting anchor amid international turmoil, calling on the next GCC-European Union (EU) summit to develop a deeper strategic partnership with a parliamentary dimension.
The meeting, held in Brussels on October 16, was attended by a delegation from Bahrain’s parliamentary division, led by Council of Representatives Speaker Ahmed bin Salman Al Musallam.
The statement strongly condemned continued Iranian missile and drone attacks against GCC states, whether carried out directly or through proxies, including attacks targeting civilian and economic facilities, vital installations, civilian airports, holy sites, service facilities, and infrastructure. It warned of the threats these attacks pose to civilian lives and safety, national sovereignty, and regional and international peace and security.
It expressed solidarity with GCC states, reiterated the right of self-defence under Article 51 of the United Nations (UN) Charter, and called on Iran and its proxies to immediately and unconditionally cease the attacks.
The statement emphasised the importance of compliance with UN Security Council Resolution 2817 (2026), concerning the condemnation of Iranian attacks against GCC member states and Jordan, and recalled the positions and statements issued by the EU and European Parliament in this regard.
It also called on Iran and its proxies to fully respect freedom of navigation and the right of transit passage in the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab Al Mandeb, expressing concern over developments in the Red Sea that threaten a vital route between Europe and Asia.
The statement called for greater co-operation in maritime security.
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