MANAMA (Oct. 9, 2026) — The Secretary‑General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Jasem Mohamed Al‑Budaiwi, has signaled that a visa‑free travel arrangement with the Schengen Area is imminent. In a recent interview on the Arab Views podcast, Al‑Budaiwi told host Faisal J. Abbas that the “beginning of the process to waive the Schengen visa for GCC citizens … is very close.” He added that participants at the EU‑GCC summit in Riyadh on 24 October can expect a positive announcement on this front.
During the sit‑down, Al‑Budaiwi also addressed broader regional issues, including Gulf unity, the future of relations with Iran, the GCC’s position on the escalation in Yemen, and whether member states might deploy troops to confront Houthi militias.
While the visa‑waiver initiative is moving forward, Al‑Budaiwi noted that a comprehensive GCC‑EU Free Trade Agreement remains under negotiation. He explained that historical talks have not yet reached a conclusion and that the EU continues to propose additional clauses—particularly on human‑rights matters—that the GCC believes should be removed.
The interview was recorded in Manama on the sidelines of the “Made in GCC 2026” Forum and Exhibition, an event highlighting the latest Gulf‑made products, advanced industrial technologies, and innovations.
Updated 29 sec ago
October 9, 2026 13:28
