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State Secretary Štiglic at the EU-Gulf Cooperation Council ministerial meeting

State Secretary Sanja Štiglic participated in the 27th EU-GCC Joint Council and Ministerial meeting held in Muscat. During the gathering, Ministers and State Secretaries discussed the importance of and opportunities for enhanced cooperation between the EU and the strategically significant Gulf countries, as well as current foreign policy issues, with a specific focus on the situation in Israel and Gaza.
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State Secretary Štiglic at the EU-GCC ministerial meeting | Author Ministrstvo za zunanje in evropske zadeve

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In addition to strengthening the partnership, discussions focused on the prevailing political and security dynamics in Europe, the Middle East and the Gulf. Particular attention was given to the ongoing developments in Israel and Gaza following the attacks by Hamas. Ministers also exchanged views on the situation in Syria, Iraq, Yemen and the Horn of Africa, Iran’s role in the region and Russian aggression against Ukraine. They also discussed climate change, preparations for the COP28 conference and the possibilities for a coordinated EU-Gulf response to humanitarian crises in the region and around the world.

In the context of regional security, State Secretary Štiglic underlined the importance of cooperation between the EU and the Gulf countries. She went on to condemn the attacks by Hamas on Israel and called for an immediate cessation of violence, respect for international humanitarian law, protection of civilians and the continuation of peace efforts. She further emphasized Slovenia’s dedication to advancing these objectives as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council and highlighted the importance of delivering humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian population through UNRWA, reaffirming Slovenia's commitment to making contributions in this regard.

The meeting resulted in the endorsement of a joint statement by the EU-GCC.