HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister delivers historic address at first EU-Gulf Cooperation Council Summit

We gather here today at a crucial moment in history, as our shared goals and values are under threat. There have been tectonic shifts in the geopolitical order and as a result our regions are affected by severe conflicts, and with them the inevitable toll of humanitarian crises.

Your Highnesses and Excellencies, Both the GCC and the EU were founded on principles of cooperation, with a shared vision of fostering security, economic prosperity and regional unity.

In this spirit, we must also ensure that our efforts lead to stronger and deeper partnerships of like-minded countries around the world. This is particularly true at this moment in history. The crises we face today are more complex and intertwined than those faced when the current global multilateral framework was established eighty years ago.

In Europe, we continue to witness widespread suffering as the intractable conflict in Ukraine persists. In the Middle East, the devastating events unfolding demand our attention and urgent action.

The human cost of these conflicts is staggering, and with every moment of delay, these conflicts deepen and spread, threatening regional stability and human well-being across the globe.

In the Middle East, we must urgently see the implementation of an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the release of all hostages, and the adoption of an irrevocable path to the creation of a viable, independent Palestinian state. We have said it and we say it again, it is imperative to break the current escalatory cycle in the region and to avoid a wider regional conflict. Likewise, in Europe, we must see an end to aggression and the achievement of a just and lasting peace.

Now is the moment to work together to build a more resilient framework that can address these evolving challenges and ensure long-term security, stability, and prosperity that all nations rightfully deserve.

Now is the moment to pursue holistic, consensus-driven reforms within all our global institutions, including the United Nations, the UN Security Council, the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank to guarantee their responsiveness to evolving, real-world challenges that are happening now.

It is in this spirit of partnership that His Majesty King Hamad has called on the international community to convene an international peace conference on the Middle East.

The Kingdom of Bahrain urges all nations to join us in this vital initiative — one which seeks to strengthen efforts to achieve a just, comprehensive, and lasting peace in the region.

Together, we can accomplish far more than we ever could individually. Your Highnesses and Excellencies, The GCC and the EU have made significant progress in expanding trade ties in recent years, with the EU now standing as the GCC’s largest trading bloc — a testament to the strength of our relationship.

On the economic front, we are committed to advancing discussions on the EU-GCC Free Trade Agreement, which will further deepen trade and investment ties, while unlocking the vast potential offered by green and digital transitions.

On security, the EU and GCC are united in our commitment to building a strategic partnership that elevates our collaboration to new heights, and we welcome the EU-GCC Regional Security Dialogue, which launched in Riyadh this year.

As we also contend with escalating impacts of climate change, rising trade barriers, and the rapidly evolving digital and technological landscape, our world requires a committed and coordinated global effort to channel the resources and establish the governance mechanisms to deliver meaningful and sustainable impact.

The path ahead is not without obstacles, but by working together and by enhancing existing partnerships, we will build a future defined by peace, prosperity, and shared purpose together.

Thank you. During the Summit, several presidents and senior delegations delivered speeches, reaffirming their countries’ commitment to advancing cooperation and addressing mutual aspirations, including security, stability, and development. Several senior officials also attended.