HE GCCSG Receives the EU Special Representative for the Gulf on the Sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum

His Excellency Mr Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), received His Excellency Mr Luigi Di Maio, the European Union (EU) Special Representative for the Gulf, today, Saturday, April 18, 2026, in the city of Antalya, Republic of Turkey, on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum.

During the meeting, several topics were discussed, most notably ways to strengthen GCC-European cooperation. The two sides reviewed the outcomes of His Excellency Mr Albudaiwi’s recent visit to the EU and the European Parliament, during which he met with several senior officials. They also deliberated on the results of the recent visit by Mr António Costa, President of the European Council, to several GCC member states.

The two sides underscored the contents of the joint statement issued by the GCC-EU Joint Ministerial Meeting regarding the condemnation of Iranian attacks on GCC states. They emphasised the critical importance of maintaining the safety of regional airspace, maritime corridors, and the freedom of navigation—including in the Strait of Hormuz and Bab Al-Mandab. Furthermore, they underlined the necessity of ensuring the security of supply chains and the stability of global energy markets.