The European Parliament will host senior parliamentary leaders from the Gulf Cooperation Council on Oct. 16 in Brussels to discuss strengthening strategic ties and parliamentary cooperation ahead of an EU-GCC leaders’ summit later this month. European Parliament President Roberta Metsola will chair the conference, which will include Ahmed bin Salman Al Musallam, speaker of Bahrain’s Council of Representatives, and GCC Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi. Speakers from the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Oman and Qatar are also expected to attend. Discussions will address freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea, energy security, the broader effects of Russia’s war in Ukraine, open trade and connectivity. The meeting is expected to conclude with the adoption of a joint statement. The conference will take place ahead of the EU-GCC summit scheduled for Oct. 24 in Saudi Arabia. The GCC, founded in 1981, comprises Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Post navigation M 6.7 Earthquake Strikes Central Mid-Atlantic Ridge