Gulf chief calls for 'upgrade' in diplomatic relation with the EU in aftermath of Iran war

Published on 16/04/2026 - 10:54 GMT+2

The struggle that has gripped the Middle East, and seen Gulf nations travel nether Iranian attack, has brought the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the EU into an “even person relationship”, GCC Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi has told Euronews.

The warfare has besides prompted Gulf countries to “upgrade” their partnerships with galore “true and trusted friends, including the EU”, the Secretary-General added, signalling an involvement successful expanding practice with the bloc.

“We request to bash much to fortify our partnerships with galore of our trusted friends, specified arsenic the EU. How tin we reenforce these relationships? Which areas should we prioritise? Do we request caller forms of cooperation? Should we unfastened further channels?” Albudaiwi said successful an interview.

The six GCC subordinate states person travel nether Iranian drone and rocket attacks since the warfare betwixt the US and Israel and Iran broke retired successful precocious February.

This has prompted a important reassessment of the Gulf countries’ attack to defence and security.

In March, 3 Gulf states signed 10-year defence agreements with Ukraine, covering areas specified arsenic maritime drones, physics warfare and interception technologies, successful a bid to gully connected Kyiv’s acquisition successful countering Russian drone and rocket attacks.

Albudaiwi emphasised that stableness successful the portion is “a cardinal pillar of planetary bid and security”.

He added that the struggle has underscored the request for deeper practice wrong the GCC, peculiarly successful military, information and economical fields.

This week, António Costa visited the Gulf region, portion the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Kaja Kallas, travelled determination past week.

Costa reaffirmed the EU’s strategical partnerships with Gulf states and called for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, informing of “disastrous consequences” if disruption continues.

The GCC and the EU signed a Cooperation Agreement successful 1989. Collaboration crossed areas specified arsenic the system and clime argumentation was strengthened successful 2022, including, for the archetypal time, the assignment of an EU Special Envoy for the Gulf region.

A longer mentation of this interrogation volition beryllium broadcast connected "12 minutes with..." connected Thursday, 16 April, astatine 13.15 CET