Manama: Bahrain's parliamentary division delegation, led by Ahmed Sabah Al Salloom, member of the Council of Representatives, participated in the remote 10th GCC-European Parliamentary Committee meeting. The delegation affirmed that the Kingdom, under the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and with the support and follow-up of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, continues to promote regional and international security and stability and supports dialogue and peaceful diplomatic solutions to address crises and conflicts.
According to Bahrain News Agency, the delegation emphasized that systematic Iranian attacks targeting infrastructure and vital facilities across the region pose a direct threat to regional and international peace and security and constitute a violation of international humanitarian law and the United Nations Charter. The delegation stated that these attacks undermine diplomatic efforts to preserve stability and necessitate a firm response to threats to maritime routes, freedom of commercial navigation, and the stability of global energy markets.
The committee discussed several strategic agenda items, including a General Secretariat memorandum on cooperation between the legislative councils of the GCC states and the European Parliament. It also followed up on the outcomes of the 19th periodic meeting of GCC legislative council speakers and the discussions between the GCC Secretary-General and Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament.
The meeting also reviewed a paper on joint GCC priorities, including the exemption of GCC citizens from Schengen visa requirements to facilitate movement and strengthen economic, tourism, and investment partnerships. Other topics included the exchange of legislative expertise, the development of specialised parliamentary committees, human rights practices, and coordination on regional and international peace and security, counterterrorism, organised crime, maritime security, energy security, and cybersecurity.