World · India Bureau
EU-GCC summit postponed as Houthi attacks target Saudi Arabia
European Union and Gulf Cooperation Council officials have deferred a high-level summit scheduled for Riyadh this month following a series of missile attacks by Yemen's Houthi movement against Saudi territory. No alternative date has been confirmed.
LSN India ·
The EU-GCC summit, originally planned for October 24 in the Saudi capital, has been pushed back indefinitely as regional security tensions escalate, according to statements from both sides. The decision reflects mounting concerns over the safety and logistics of hosting a major diplomatic gathering amid active military threats.
The Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia have intensified in recent weeks, with the Iran-aligned militant group launching missile strikes at targets across the kingdom. These operations have prompted regional governments and international partners to reassess planned events and security protocols in the region.
The EU and GCC maintain significant economic and geopolitical ties, with regular summits serving as forums to discuss trade, security cooperation, and regional developments. The postponement marks a setback to the scheduled dialogue between the bloc and the six-member council, which comprises Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman.
Both the European Union and GCC member states have not announced a rescheduled date for the summit. Officials from the participating nations are expected to coordinate on alternative arrangements in the coming weeks as the security situation develops.