Albares expresses his “full solidarity” with the Gulf countries and his “strongest condemnation” of Iran’s attacks

Eduardo González Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares participated this Thursday in the extraordinary teleconference between his counterparts from the European Union and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), in which he expressed his “full solidarity” with the countries of the region and his “strongest condemnation” of Iran’s “unjustifiable attacks.” “Our full solidarity with the Gulf countries and our strongest condemnation of the unjustifiable attacks they are suffering from Iran,” Albares stated during his address, according to the Foreign Ministry’s social media accounts. “Spain’s commitment to regional security and peace is unwavering,” he added. The meeting included the participation, on behalf of the GCC, of Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bahrain and Chair of the current session of the Council’s Ministerial Council; Jassim Mohammed Al-Budaiwi, Secretary General of the GCC, and the Foreign Ministers of the GCC member states participated. On the European side, participants included Kaja Kallas, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission; Dubravka Šuica, European Commissioner for the Mediterranean; and the Foreign Ministers of the EU member states. At the conclusion of the meeting, the participating ministers issued a joint statement condemning “the unjustifiable Iranian attacks,” demanding “full respect for international law, international humanitarian law, and the obligation to comply with the principles of the Charter of the United Nations,” recalling the right of GCC countries “to defend themselves, individually and collectively, against armed attacks by Iran,” rejecting Iran’s acquisition of nuclear weapons, and reaffirming the importance of safeguarding regional airspace, maritime routes, and freedom of navigation, including in the Strait of Hormuz and Bab-el-Mandeb. Joint statement In the statement, the participating ministers strongly condemned “the unjustifiable Iranian attacks against GCC countries, which threaten regional and global security,” and called on Iran to “immediately cease its attacks.” The European Union also reaffirmed its solidarity with the GCC countries, and the ministers reiterated their “commitment to regional stability and called for the protection of civilians and full respect for international law, international humanitarian law, and the obligation to comply with the principles of the Charter of the United Nations.” Furthermore, the signatory ministers recalled that they had consistently urged Iran to halt its nuclear and ballistic missile programs, refrain from destabilizing activities in the region and in Europe, and “cease the atrocious violence against its own people.” The participants also addressed the damage caused by the recent indiscriminate Iranian attacks against GCC member states, targeting civilian infrastructure, including oil facilities, services, and residential areas. They recalled the diplomatic efforts undertaken by both the EU and its member states and the GCC member states prior to the attacks, as well as the latter's commitment that their territories would not be used to launch attacks against Iran. The ministers reaffirmed their “unwavering commitment to dialogue and diplomacy as means to resolve the crisis,” praising “Oman’s constructive role” in this regard, and stressed the need to restore regional stability and security. The ministers also recalled the right of GCC countries, in accordance with Article 51 of the UN Charter, to defend themselves, individually and collectively, against armed attacks by Iran and warned that GCC states have the right to take all necessary measures to defend their security and stability and protect their territories, citizens, and residents in order to restore international peace and security. The ministers also recalled the responsibility of the UN Security Council to restore and maintain international peace and security. Furthermore, the signatory ministers committed to undertaking joint diplomatic efforts to achieve a lasting solution that prevents Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and ensures that the Islamic Republic ceases the production and proliferation of ballistic missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles, and any technology that threatens the security of the region and beyond; refrains from destabilizing activities in the region and in Europe; and ultimately allows the Iranian people to determine their own future. The ministers reaffirmed the importance of safeguarding regional airspace, maritime routes, and freedom of navigation, including in the Strait of Hormuz and Bab-el-Mandeb, as well as the security and protection of supply chains and the stability of global energy markets. The ministers also stressed that the security and stability of the Gulf region are fundamental pillars of global economic stability, intrinsically linked to European and global security. In this context, the ministers recognized the importance of the EU maritime defense operation ASPIDES and Operation ATALANTA in protecting critical waterways and reducing disruption to supply chains, and encouraged coordination to support these operations. The ministers also underscored the need to safeguard regional airspace and maritime routes, as well as energy and nuclear security. The European Union thanked the GCC Member States for the hospitality and assistance provided to EU citizens on their territory. “The European Union and its Member States will continue to do everything possible to allow the safe departure of their citizens in close cooperation with the GCC Member States,” the statement concludes.

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