EU-GCC: Third EU-Gulf Cooperation Council Regional Security Dialogue in Riyadh
On 8 October 2026, the Third (3rd ) EU-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Regional Security Dialogue took place in Riyadh.
The Dialogue built on the meeting of the EU-GCC Joint Council in May 2026, where both organisations agreed to further enhance dialogue and cooperation on security. The Dialogue took place in the run-up to the upcoming EU-GCC Summit in Riyadh.
Delegations held open and constructive exchanges focused on regional security issues, notably Gaza/Occupied Palestinian Territory, Iran, Yemen, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Ukraine and the Horn of Africa.
The EEAS reiterated the EU’s full solidarity to all Gulf states and populations affected by the wars around the Arabian Peninsula.
They also took stock of the progress and agreed on next steps to enhance the cooperation in key areas such as countering terrorism and violent extremism, maritime security, non-proliferation and disarmament, cyber issues, disaster preparedness and emergency management, as well as combating drug trafficking and international organised crime.
The EU-GCC Regional Security Dialogue takes place on a regular basis, alternately in Riyadh and Brussels.
The meeting was co-chaired by high-level officials of the EEAS, the GCC Secretariat and from Bahrain as the Presidency of the GCC current session.