GCC advances missile defense project with Washington, eyes deeper strategic ties with Europe
Major progress toward Gulf missile dome as leaders strengthen defense and global partnerships; Gulf Summit highlights military integration, rising global influence, and expanding GCC–Italy cooperation -- Al-Budaiwi
Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jassim Al-Budaiwi announced that the Gulf states have made significant progress with the United States toward establishing the long-discussed Gulf missile defense dome.
Speaking at a joint press conference with Bahraini Foreign Minister and current chair of the Ministerial Council Dr. Abdul Latif Al-Zayani, following the conclusion of the GCC summit in Bahrain, Al-Budaiwi said the project is advancing steadily and will be announced in detail “at the appropriate time.”
He also revealed plans for a joint naval exercise in 2027, to be followed by a comprehensive military drill in Abu Dhabi involving land, sea, and air forces from all GCC states—reflecting the expanding scope of joint defense cooperation.
For his part, Al-Zayani affirmed that the GCC system has once again demonstrated its cohesion and its ability to meet the needs and aspirations of Gulf citizens.
He noted that the member states have achieved advanced levels of coordination in security, economic, and social fields, and continue to push for further gains.
He emphasized that Gulf citizens aspire to a safe, prosperous, and sustainable future—an environment, he said, that today’s leadership is committed to securing for future generations.
This year’s summit, he added, carried a clear message of peace, and despite regional challenges, GCC leaders remain determined to pursue stability and dialogue.
Al-Zayani highlighted how the international community has increasingly begun to heed the voice of the Gulf region, referencing U.S. President Donald Trump’s response to the call for peace in Gaza made by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, as well as the involvement of major world powers in backing Gulf-led efforts to resolve the crisis in Sudan. “We have every right to be proud,” he said.
He also noted the participation of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in the summit’s working session, stressing that GCC–EU cooperation extends beyond free trade negotiations.
While the European Union is a complex bloc with diverse legislation, Italy, he said, is a major economy with deep cultural and historical connections to the Arab world—ties that continue to strengthen.
Al-Zayani announced Italy’s interest in upgrading relations with the GCC to a comprehensive strategic partnership covering the economy, defense, education, and culture.
He also revealed a proposal for a future summit bringing together the GCC states with Mediterranean, North African, and Middle Eastern countries—describing it as a transformative step in Gulf-European relations.
Earlier, Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa reaffirmed the GCC’s commitment to expanding cooperation with Italy and strengthening economic, social, and cultural ties between the two sides, grounded in the values of dialogue and human connection.
Addressing the summit, King Hamad praised Italy’s progress across multiple fields and commended its role in supporting international peace, securing maritime routes, and contributing to global stability. “We share your aspirations for peace and stability in our region and the world,” he said.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, honored as the summit’s guest of distinction, stressed that viewing the Mediterranean and the Gulf as separate geopolitical spaces is outdated.
Instead, she said, they are interconnected regions whose influence extends far beyond their borders. She called for Italy and the GCC to act as natural partners, capable together of forming a bridge between East and West and helping overcome global divisions.
