Abu Dhabi: Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi affirmed that the meeting between the Speakers of the Shura, Representatives, National, and Umma Councils of GCC member states and President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola marks a new phase in the parliamentary relations between the two sides.
According to Saudi Press Agency, Albudaiwi emphasized the importance of establishing a permanent mechanism to govern relations between Gulf parliaments and the European Parliament, ensuring continuity and regular engagement. He also reaffirmed the readiness of the GCC General Secretariat to work jointly to achieve this goal.
The meeting, chaired by Speaker of the Federal National Council of the United Arab Emirates Saqr Ghobash, was held in Abu Dhabi on Monday, June 23, 2025. At the beginning of his speech, Albudaiwi expressed profound gratitude to President of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan for his support of joint Gulf action and for hosting the meeting. He also thanked Speaker Saqr Ghobash for his hospitality and the organization of the event.
He stated that the importance of this meeting lies in its timing, as Gulf-European relations are witnessing growth across all levels, with alignment on many regional and international matters. He noted the value of continued high-level visits and the numerous political and technical dialogues held recently, reflecting a shared commitment to elevate relations to strategic partnership status-as affirmed by the leaders of the GCC and the European Union in the joint statement from the Brussels summit in October 2024.
Albudaiwi also highlighted the Secretariat General's efforts to prepare for upcoming Gulf-European events, including the Gulf-European Ministerial Council meeting scheduled for October in Kuwait, the first Gulf-European Energy Conference in Brussels in November, and the second GCC-EU Summit, to be hosted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 2026.
He stated, "The achievements of the coming period will create strong and positive momentum for Gulf-European relations, especially given the critical challenges facing our world today, which threaten regional and global security and stability."
Albudaiwi added that strengthening these relations would send a message of hope and model international relations built on friendship and cooperation. He emphasized the key role of the European Parliament within the European Union's decision-making framework, alongside the European Council and the European Commission.
In this context, he reiterated that the request by GCC member states for Schengen visa exemption remains a top priority. Albudaiwi noted that all technical requirements have been fulfilled and that the exemption files are ready for consideration by relevant EU institutions. He commended President Metsola's ongoing coordination efforts to finalize the exemption, emphasizing its importance in boosting tourism, trade, and cultural and academic exchanges.
Turning to regional developments, Albudaiwi reaffirmed the GCC states' support for the Palestinian people amid ongoing aggression and hardship. He underscored the importance of ensuring their legitimate rights in line with international resolutions, including the establishment of an independent Palestinian state based on the Arab Peace Initiative and the two-state solution.
In conclusion, Albudaiwi proposed establishing an annual meeting between the Speakers of the GCC parliamentary councils and the President of the European Parliament. This initiative, he explained, would further strengthen overall Gulf-European relations and deepen inter-parliamentary cooperation.