Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi stressed on Saturday that the latest developments demonstrate that security of the Middle East and Europe are "unprecedentedly" connected. He said the GCC member states consistently seek to bolster security, stability, development, and prosperity to serve the mutual interests of the people in the region and entire world, noting the rapid geopolitical shifts and growing security and economic challenges facing the globe. Albudaiwi was speaking at a panel session on GCC-European strategic links on the sidelines of the GLOBSEC Global Security Forum 2026 in Prague. "The GCC General Secretariat’s participation in the GLOBSEC Global Security Forum 2026 embodies its keenness to maintain an active presence in regional and international forums," he continued. "This engagement aims to bolster communication and exchange perspectives with international partners, decision-makers, and experts, thereby supporting efforts to maintain regional and international security while keeping pace with rapid global changes." On the conflict in the Middle East, he said: "GCC states have sustained their continuous diplomatic efforts to de-escalate and defuse tensions in the region, promoting paths of dialogue and diplomacy to protect regional security, stability, and the safety of its peoples." He underscored the paramount importance of protecting the security of air and maritime corridors, ensuring freedom of navigation, the safety of supply chains, and the stability of global energy markets. "The stability of the Gulf region remains a fundamental pillar for the stability of the global economy and international maritime security," added Albudaiwi. Furthermore, he explained that recent developments have proven that the security of Europe and the Middle East has become unprecedentedly interconnected. "Any disruption in the Gulf region and its surrounding maritime passages directly affects the European economy, global energy security, supply chains, and international stability as a whole," he remarked. "Gulf stability is no longer merely a regional matter, but has become a shared international interest," he continued. Discussing the future of Gulf-European relations, he said that both sides aspire to elevate their ties to broader horizons. The upcoming GCC-EU Summit will help in cementing cooperation across numerous fields and achieving the mutual interests of both parties, he added, while underlining the significance of reaching tangible results that serve both sides and elevate their ongoing cooperation.
