Amman: Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, Minister of Foreign Affairs, met with Beate Meinl-Reisinger, Federal Minister for European and International Affairs of the Republic of Austria, on the sidelines of the GCC-EU Regional Security and Cooperation Forum.
According to Bahrain News Agency, the meeting focused on reviewing bilateral relations between the two countries and exploring ways to enhance cooperation in areas of mutual interest. The ministers exchanged views on regional developments, specifically addressing the implications of recent Iranian attacks against Bahrain, other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states, and countries in the region. They also discussed the impact of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz on international shipping, the global economy, and energy and food supplies, along with ongoing efforts to maintain regional security and stability.
Dr. Al Zayani and Minister Meinl-Reisinger expressed their condemnation of the recent attacks in the Gulf region and showed solidarity with the affected countries and seafarers. They emphasized the importance of keeping the Strait of Hormuz open for international navigation and asserted that no state should control the Strait or impose transit fees. Both ministers reaffirmed their commitment to international law and the Charter of the United Nations.
The meeting was attended by Dr. Mohammed Ali Behzad, Ambassador to the Kingdom of Belgium and Head of Mission to the European Union.