Brussels: Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, Minister of Foreign Affairs, met with Kaja Kallas, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, in the presence of Dubravka Šuica, European Commissioner for the Mediterranean, on the sidelines of the GCC-EU Regional Security Cooperation Forum. The meeting reviewed Bahrain-EU ties and means to further strengthen cooperation across areas of mutual interest. The two sides also discussed regional developments, including the implications of the recent Iranian attacks against Bahrain and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states, and the continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz to international navigation. According to Bahrain News Agency, following the meeting, Bahrain and the European Union issued a joint statement announcing the launch of negotiations on a Strategic Partnership Agreement (SPA). The statement recognised Bahrain's important role as the current President of the GCC and a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the 2026-2027 term, particularly its efforts to support the peaceful resolution of conflicts, promote peaceful coexistence and multilateralism, and uphold rules-based international order. It reaffirmed the two sides' commitment to deepening cooperation in support of regional peace, prosperity, and security, including maritime security and freedom of navigation. The statement also reaffirmed the strength of the Bahrain-EU partnership and the shared commitment to advancing political and security dialogue, expanding cooperation in multilateral forums, and broadening economic cooperation through the forthcoming Strategic Partnership Agreement negotiations. The meeting was attended by Dr. Mohammed Ali Behzad, Ambassador to the Kingdom of Belgium and Head of Mission to the European Union, and Luigi Di Maio, EU Special Representative for the Gulf.
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