EU and Gulf states postpone summit in Saudi Arabia

The European Union and the Gulf Cooperation Council have postponed a joint summit that was scheduled to take place in Saudi Arabia on October 24. The event, which was intended to be held in Riyadh, has been delayed indefinitely, with officials stating that a new date will be announced in due course.

The Gulf Cooperation Council cited ongoing security concerns as the primary reason for the decision. Specifically, the organization pointed to sustained attacks by Iran-aligned Houthi forces against Saudi Arabia, which have resulted in the extended suspension of operations at King Khalid International Airport.

The airport, which was the planned arrival point for international dignitaries attending the summit, remains closed following strikes last weekend. Reports indicate that those attacks resulted in 13 deaths and hundreds of injuries in Riyadh.

While the Gulf Cooperation Council explicitly linked the postponement to the Houthi threats and the resulting airport closures, the European Union did not provide specific reasons for the delay in its official statement. The postponement is viewed as a significant development in the region, as it highlights the impact of the escalating conflict on Saudi Arabia's ability to host international events.

The summit was originally intended to serve as a demonstration of European solidarity with Gulf states and Saudi Arabia amid the ongoing war. Despite the cancellation, the European Union reaffirmed the strategic importance of the relationship between the two regions, stating that it remains committed to deepening the partnership.