"I would like to congratulate the Atlantic Council and Theodore Kyriakou for this important initiative bringing together leaders and stakeholders from Europe and the Gulf at a particularly critical geopolitical juncture. The current international environment requires Europe to broaden its strategic outlook and strengthen its engagement with the wider Mediterranean, the Gulf, and Africa. While Europe remains focused on the war in Ukraine, it must also adopt a comprehensive, 360-degree approach to security, addressing developments in the Middle East, the Red Sea, and Africa. The security of the European Union and the GCC countries is increasingly intertwined. Greece has stood by its Gulf partners in difficult times and remains committed to further deepening these relationships. Greece sees the Gulf not only as a strategic partner in addressing today’s geopolitical challenges, but also as a key partner for the future — in energy, infrastructure, shipping, digital connectivity, innovation, and investment. Greece can serve as a bridge and a gateway for Gulf investment into Europe and as a hub connecting Europe with the Eastern Mediterranean, the Middle East, and Africa. Our cooperation should be shaped not only by shared security concerns, but also by a shared vision for growth, prosperity, and regional stability. In this context, joint European-Gulf engagement in Africa - particularly on issues related to stability, investment, critical raw materials, and migration management - is of great importance, while preserving stability in countries such as Egypt and Libya remains essential."
"If we look at the European powers and the Gulf, what we have are middle-power economies whose combined efforts are immensely important at this time. We have war in Europe and deep concerns about Russia, while with our Gulf partners there are real concerns about the Strait of Hormuz and the missiles flying from Iran. Between us, in terms of energy independence and what we can do together on defense and security over the coming years, there is a great deal that requires partnership. That is the world we are living in, and why this Forum is so important, particularly at a time when much of the world is facing a cost-of-living crisis. The ability to come together and discuss these issues privately with global leaders is of huge importance, and I see a real opportunity for this Forum going forward."
"The Europe Gulf Forum held in Greece in May 2026 reflected the growing strategic partnership between the Gulf Cooperation Council and our European partners, translating shared visions into practical areas of cooperation. Among the most tangible outcomes of the Forum was the advancement of dialogue on economic connectivity, energy security, digital transformation, and investment partnerships, alongside strengthened coordination on regional and international issues of mutual concern. The Forum also contributed to expanding engagement between public and private sector stakeholders, creating new opportunities for cooperation in sustainability, innovation, trade, and emerging technologies. The GCC views this Forum as an important platform for building long-term partnerships based on mutual interests, shared prosperity, and collective efforts toward regional and global stability."
"The opportunity before us is to redefine the partnership between the Gulf and Europe for a new global era—moving beyond a conventional trading relationship toward a strategic partnership that drives economic resilience, advances technological leadership, secures the energy transition, and shapes a more stable and prosperous future for generations to come."
"Bringing European and Gulf leaders together in this way was immensely valuable because it allowed for a more open and honest discussion about the challenges we face together. What emerged clearly from the forum is that Europe and the Gulf have a shared interest in security, economic resilience, technological capability and regional stability. We are living through a period where power, both economic and military, matters profoundly, and partnerships between like-minded countries are becoming increasingly important. If we build on the relationships and discussions from this weekend, there is a real opportunity to create a stronger and more capable alliance between Europe and the Gulf."
