BAE participated in the extraordinary EU-GCC Foreign Ministers meeting.

ABU DHABI, March 5, 2026 (WAM) -- The United Arab Emirates participated in an extraordinary meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and European Union (EU) Foreign Ministers held via video conference on March 5, 2026. The meeting was co-chaired by Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain, and Kaja Kallas, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice President of the European Commission. During the meeting, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Lana Nusseibeh expressed gratitude for the condemnations and expressions of solidarity and support from European partners following Iran's unjust, unprovoked, and unlawful attacks. Nusseibeh highlighted the scale of unprovoked attacks targeting the UAE, noting that the UAE successfully defended itself against over 1,000 Iranian drones and missiles, and emphasized that these attacks primarily targeted civilian infrastructure. She strongly condemned the ongoing violations against UAE sovereignty, international law, and international humanitarian law. Nusseibeh underscored that the UAE's priority is to ensure the safety of everyone within its borders, including citizens, residents, and a significant number of visitors from Europe. She informed her counterparts about the UAE's comprehensive efforts to meet the needs of foreign nationals during the current crisis; this point was echoed by the European Foreign Ministers, who expressed gratitude for the close coordination in assisting transit passengers across Europe to return safely to their countries. Nusseibeh emphasized that the UAE continuously pursues diplomatic avenues to prevent the current escalation and remains committed to dialogue and diplomacy. She also stated that the UAE reserves the right to legitimate self-defense under Article 51 of the United Nations Charter to protect its sovereignty and its people. She highlighted the importance of strengthening EU-GCC coordination in response to the current crisis. Concluding her remarks, Minister Nusseibeh stated, “What we are witnessing today is a struggle between two irreconcilable visions for the future of the region. As the UAE, we stand on the side of peaceful coexistence with our GCC partners and strive for a Middle East where regional economic integration creates opportunities for all – not destruction.” Following the meeting, the ministers issued a joint statement emphasizing the importance of continued cooperation between the GCC and the European Union to promote stability, ensure maritime navigation, and secure global supply chains and energy security.