Gulf-EU summit in Riyadh postponed amid Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) secretary-general announced on Thursday that a planned meeting between EU and Gulf leaders in Riyadh has been postponed. Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi cited ongoing Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia and the extended suspension of operations at King Khalid International Airport as the reasons for the rescheduling.

The EU Council emphasized the importance of the partnership between the EU and the GCC, stating their commitment to deepening this relationship. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was set to co-host the summit in Riyadh with EU Council President Antonio Costa, alongside the 27 EU leaders. The summit was intended to strengthen ties between the two regions, with new dates to be announced later.

The decision to postpone the meeting comes amid continuous Houthi missile strikes targeting Saudi Arabia, which have damaged the kingdom's energy and maritime infrastructure. Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev suggested that the postponement may be due to security concerns. He also mentioned the Bulgarian government's efforts to develop a railway corridor to export Saudi oil via Syria, Turkey, and Bulgaria to Europe, bypassing the Strait of Hormuz, which is currently under an Iranian blockade.