BRUSSELS: The first summit of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the European Union (EU) member states kicked off in Brussels on Wednesday with the participation of Gulf and European leaders. The summit is aimed at enhancing cooperation and discussing major global challenges. The 27-nation European Union is seeking to work more closely with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), which brings together Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, in addressing conflicts in both the Middle East and Ukraine.

President of the European Council Charles Michel stressed the European side’s readiness to work with the Gulf side to address international problems, especially in the Middle East, which is going through turmoil and major challenges. Michel stressed the importance of a comprehensive and stronger partnership between the EU and the GCC to achieve prosperity, calling on the member states to work to make the summit the first that inspires unity and hope.

The Amir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, in his capacity as the rotating chairman of the GCC, said in his speech that the destructive

war launched by the Zionist occupation “has turned into a terrifying routine in the absence of any international accountability.” The Amir stressed the urgent need to find a comprehensive settlement to the conflict based on a just solution to the Palestinian issue based on international legitimacy resolutions, including a full withdrawal from the Arab territories occupied in 1967 and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.

He called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon and an end to the provocations by settlers, supported by the occupation army in the occupied West Bank. He said that he believes that a ceasefire should constitute a prelude to serious negotiations leading to a “comprehensive, just, and sustainable” solution to the Palestinian issue in accordance with international legitimacy resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative.

The Representative of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah headed Kuwait’s delegation at the summit. The leaders are expected to address the most important regional issues, most notably working to reduce the escalation in the Middle East region, which is witnessing unrest. The leaders will also discuss how to enhance cooperation in various fields and aspects of economic cooperation, including trade and investment, in addition to the issue of energy, as Gulf states are one of the most important energy centers for oil and gas in the world.

The summit was attended by the Amir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia Prince Mohammed bin Salman, President of the European Council Charles Michel, French President Emmanuel Macron, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Jassim Al-Budaiwi, Bahraini Crown Prince and Prime Minister Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, First Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Prime, Minister for International Relations and Cooperation Asaad bin Tariq Al Said in addition to the heads of the 27 EU countries and heads of government, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell. – Agencies