(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) KUWAIT, Oct 5 (KUNA) -- The Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Jassim Al-Budaiwi, said on Sunday that the Council views the European Union as a strategic partner in supporting international peace and security, stressing the importance of strengthening joint cooperation to address regional challenges, stabilize energy markets, ensure maritime security, and protect vital waterways.
This came in a speech delivered by Al-Budaiwi at the launch of the second high-level forum on regional security and cooperation between the Gulf Cooperation Council and the European Union, hosted by the State of Kuwait with the participation of foreign ministers and senior officials from both sides.
The forum precedes the 29th joint ministerial meeting between the GCC and the European Union scheduled for tomorrow.
The forum will be chaired from the Gulf side by the current chairman of the GCC Ministerial Council, Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Abdullah Al-Yahya, and from the European side by the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, Kaya Kallas.
Al-Budaiwi explained that the GCC's vision for regional security is based on building strategic relations and effective partnerships to address hotspots in the region and the world, indicating that ongoing regional conflicts cast a wide shadow over vital sectors, including energy security and freedom of international navigation.
He stressed that the current geopolitical crisis requires a serious stance and shared international responsibility to end the escalating tensions in the region, commending the initiative announced by US President Donald Trump to end the war in Gaza and reach a comprehensive solution to the crisis.
Al-Budaiwi added that the US President's initiative represents an opportunity to establish a realistic framework focused on stopping violence, restoring stability, and ensuring the flow of humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people.
Al-Budaiwi hoped that this step would pave the way for achieving a lasting peace based on international law and justice for the Palestinian people.
He stated that US leadership through this plan could contribute to strengthening international cooperation and bringing together regional parties and global partners in an environment of dialogue and understanding.
He noted that the GCC affirms its commitment to working with partners to ensure the implementation of the initiative and end the suffering of the Palestinian people, thus achieving their legitimate rights to establish an independent state in accordance with the Arab Peace Initiative and relevant UN resolutions.
Al-Budaiwi called for an immediate halt to Israeli occupation attacks that have violated all legal and humanitarian considerations.
He emphasized that Israeli occupation military actions in the Palestinian Gaza Strip, along with the accompanying violations against civilians and attacks on neighboring countries, pose a serious threat to the stability of the Middle East and require urgent action from the international community.
He pointed out that the continued ambiguity surrounding the Iranian nuclear issue poses a direct threat to regional security, calling on Tehran to address questions related to its nuclear facilities and halt high levels of enrichment.
He also emphasized the importance of all parties exercising restraint to avoid military escalation. (Pickup previous)
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