Taoiseach attending first EU-Gulf Cooperation Council summit

Taoiseach Simon Harris is to visit Brussels for the first summit between the EU and the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council.

Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman are represented on the council.

On Thursday, Mr Harris will also attend a meeting of the European Council.

The situation in the Middle East will feature at both meetings. Ukraine will be another focus at the meeting of the European Council.

The Taoiseach said: “I look forward to participating in the first summit between the EU and the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council as well as attending a meeting of the European Council.

“Clearly and rightly the situation in the Middle East will feature strongly at both meetings.

“EU leaders and leaders from the wider Middle East region have a responsibility to do all we can to bring an end to the devastating violence we are witnessing with horror.

“I have repeatedly said that the international community – all countries and…