00:00European Council President Antonio Costa wrapped up his tour of the Gulf in Qatar on Wednesday,
00:05saying he came to listen to the leaders at a critical moment,
00:08to push for sustainable peace, and to reopen free navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
00:13He says the world is entering a dangerous moment,
00:16and unless countries defend the international rules-based order,
00:19the alternative is chaos we're already seeing from Ukraine to the Gulf.
00:23After meetings across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar,
00:26Costa made it clear the European Union is a reliable partner to the Gulf
00:30to support the region's stability and security.
00:33In an answer to Euronews, he said the EU wants deeper and stronger cooperation with the Gulf,
00:38and that's what he heard from all the leaders.
00:40It's important that the European Union and the Gulf cooperation countries could work together
00:51between the EU and the GCC, but also bilaterally with each Gulf state.
00:59And we are keen to do this.
01:00We are negotiating free trade agreements with some of them,
01:04so there is partnership with the others, and we are talking with all of them.
01:09I think, more than ever, it's very important that we achieve this.
01:14Costa says the economic impact of disrupted shipping is already being felt worldwide,
01:19adding pressure to move quickly.
01:20He said everyone must use the momentum created by the ceasefire,
01:24and that European countries are committed to secure, safe passage in the region.
01:28It is essential that all parties use the momentum created by the recent United States-Iran ceasefire,
01:38brokered by Pakistan, in order to address the concerns of the international community regarding Iran.
01:48That means nuclear program, of course, but also its ballistic missile program.
01:56Iran supports two proxies, destabilizing the region, and the blockade of the international sea lakes.
02:07This war has already had disastrous consequences that are being felt all over the world,
02:16and that will only get worse with every day without a solution to this conflict.
02:24Restoring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz is crucial and urgent,
02:32and Europe is committed to help guarantee the safe and impeded passage of ships.
02:40This is the objective of the coalition of countries that France and the United Kingdom
02:48are assembling with partners around the world.
02:52Costa also warned that Hezbollah poses an existential threat in Lebanon,
02:57saying Iran-backed groups are destabilizing the region.
03:00He added the European Union supports Lebanese leadership efforts
03:03to ban the group's military activities as the only path to long-term stability.
03:08The council president also announced plans for a second EU-GCC summit later this year,
03:14this time in the region,
03:16saying Gulf partners can count on the EU's support now and in the future.
03:20Adil Halim, Euronews, Doha.
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