EU Council President Expresses Solidarity with GCC States Against Attacks

European Council President Antonio Costa expressed the European Union's full solidarity with Gulf Cooperation Council member states against ongoing attacks, following a phone call with UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Sunday.

Costa confirmed that the EU stands firmly alongside the GCC nations during this critical period, emphasizing the importance of the longstanding partnership between Europe and the Gulf region. The conversation between the two leaders addressed the latest security developments affecting Gulf states and the need for a coordinated international response.

The European Council president's remarks come amid heightened tensions in the region, with GCC member states facing security threats that have drawn international concern and condemnation. The phone call with Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed underscored the strategic nature of the EU-Gulf relationship, which spans trade, energy, security cooperation, and diplomatic coordination on global affairs.

Costa reaffirmed that any attacks targeting sovereign nations in the Gulf region are unacceptable under international law, signaling that Brussels views the security of GCC states as directly linked to European strategic interests. The EU and the GCC signed a comprehensive cooperation agreement in recent years, deepening ties across multiple sectors and establishing mechanisms for regular political dialogue.

The solidarity expressed by the EU carries particular significance for Qatar and its fellow GCC members, as the bloc represents one of the Gulf's largest trading partners and a key diplomatic interlocutor on the world stage. Qatar has consistently advocated for multilateral approaches to regional security and has maintained strong bilateral relations with major EU member states, including France, Germany, and Italy.

Doha's diplomatic engagements with European capitals have intensified in recent years, with Qatar playing a central role in energy security discussions following shifts in global supply chains. The emirate's position as one of the world's leading exporters of liquefied natural gas has made it an indispensable partner for European nations seeking to diversify their energy sources.

The phone call between Costa and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed also touched on broader regional stability, with both leaders agreeing on the necessity of dialogue and de-escalation as the primary tools for resolving disputes. The UAE president briefed his European counterpart on the Gulf perspective regarding the security situation and the measures being taken to protect civilian populations and critical infrastructure.

Diplomatic observers noted that the EU's explicit expression of solidarity represents a strengthening of the transregional security framework that has been developing between Europe and the Gulf. The statement is expected to be followed by further consultations at the ministerial level between EU foreign policy officials and their GCC counterparts in the coming days.