Qatar’s emir has made a plea for peace in the ongoing conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon during a meeting with European Union leaders in Brussels, Belgium. He emphasized the importance of establishing a sovereign Palestinian state alongside Israel.
The EU is looking to strengthen its collaboration with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in addressing conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine. At the EU-GCC summit, Qatar’s Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani called for a ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon, denouncing the Israeli attacks as war crimes.
The summit, occurring more than a year after Israel’s assault on Gaza and ongoing tensions with Hezbollah in Lebanon, highlighted the urgent need for a peaceful resolution. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen urged an immediate ceasefire to prevent further escalation.
The presence of Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the summit raised hopes for progress towards a two-state solution. The GCC’s commitment to the Arab Peace Initiative, initiated in 2002, reinforces the call for recognition of Israel in exchange for an independent Palestinian state.
In addition to the Middle East conflicts, discussions at the summit also focused on the Russia-Ukraine war. The EU sought international support to isolate Russia and halt its military aggression. While there may be differing views on the conflict, cooperation is essential to address the crisis.
Trade, investment partnerships, and visa liberalization were also key topics for discussion at the summit, reflecting the commitment to enhanced cooperation between the EU and GCC.
