Brussels:The State of Qatar, under the leadership of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, continues to emphasize its strategic partnership with the European Union and its commitment to diplomatic efforts for peace and stability, as stated by HE Shura Council Speaker Hassan bin Abdullah Al Ghanim.
According to Qatar News Agency, Al Ghanim made these remarks during the second meeting of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) parliamentary speakers with European Parliament President Roberta Metsola in Brussels. He underscored the importance of dialogue, mediation, and parliamentary diplomacy in reducing regional tensions and enhancing international security, particularly highlighting Qatar's diplomatic engagements in Afghanistan, Iran, and the Gaza Strip.
Al Ghanim reiterated the Shura Council's support for ongoing negotiations on a strategic partnership agreement between Qatar and the EU, initially announced in December. He expressed optimism that the forthcoming GCC-EU summit in Saudi Arabia would further enhance cooperation, with parliamentary involvement playing a significant role. The Brussels meeting follows an earlier gathering in Abu Dhabi and signifies a mutual commitment to strengthening parliamentary cooperation between the Gulf states and the EU.
Furthermore, Al Ghanim condemned the Iranian attacks on GCC countries, describing them as breaches of national sovereignty and international law, posing threats to regional and international peace. He also condemned Houthi attacks against Saudi Arabia, reaffirming Qatar's solidarity with the kingdom's right to defend its sovereignty. Additionally, he emphasized the need for freedom of navigation through key international waterways and expressed support for a Palestinian state within the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Concluding his remarks, Al Ghanim called for further GCC-EU parliamentary collaboration to foster international peace and meet the aspirations of the two regions' populations. A joint statement from the meeting called for deepening the strategic partnership and improving connectivity, while also addressing the regional developments and emphasizing the importance of energy security and cooperation in various fields.