26/01/24 (Agence Europe) – Senior officials from the EU and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) met in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) on Wednesday 24 January for the first GCC-EU regional security dialogue, announced the European External Action Service on Thursday 25 January. The parties discussed security and regional developments, in particular the situation in the Middle East, Yemen, the Red Sea, Iraq, Iran, the Sahel, Somalia and Ukraine. They also discussed opportunities for greater cooperation in the areas of counter-terrorism, maritime security, cyber security, non-proliferation, disaster preparedness and emergency management. Following the GCC-EU Council in October, EU High Representative Josep Borrell announced the launch of this dialogue (see EUROPE 13268/3). (CG)