Saudi Arabia calls for inclusive regional security, backs Palestinian statehood

Saudi Arabia has called for a more inclusive approach to regional security and reiterated its support for Palestinian statehood during the Mediterranean-Gulf Summit in Rome. The Kingdom's representative, Dr. Manal Radwan, Minister Plenipotentiary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, addressed officials, diplomats, and experts from the Gulf, Middle East, and Europe.

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Policies based on dominance or reliance solely on military force cannot achieve lasting security, calling instead for more comprehensive frameworks for dialogue, cooperation, and collective security.

Radwan emphasized that the region is experiencing significant strategic shifts, necessitating new security and stability strategies. She argued that policies relying solely on dominance or military force cannot achieve enduring security. Instead, she advocated for comprehensive frameworks promoting dialogue, cooperation, and collective security.

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The Palestinian issue remains central to any credible vision for regional security, warning that the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza Strip, continued settlement expansion and annexation efforts in the West Bank, and the erosion of final-status issues, particularly the status of Jerusalem, are undermining prospects for both regional and international stability.

The Palestinian issue, she stressed, remains a cornerstone of any credible regional security vision. Radwan warned that the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza, ongoing settlement expansion and annexation in the West Bank, and the erosion of final-status issues, particularly Jerusalem's status, are jeopardizing both regional and international stability. She asserted that the Palestinian people's legitimate national rights, including self-determination and an independent state, must underpin any future political process.

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The legitimate national rights of the Palestinian people, foremost among them the right to self-determination and the establishment of an independent state, must form the foundation of any future political process.

Furthermore, Radwan highlighted the importance of respecting state sovereignty, avoiding interference in internal affairs, and refraining from undermining state institutions. She also stressed the need to protect freedom of navigation, maritime security, and global supply chains, while enhancing Gulf-European cooperation on shared challenges in energy, the digital economy, and strategic infrastructure. Radwan concluded by stating that meaningful progress requires coordinated collective action and robust partnerships to address crisis root causes and advance regional security, stability, and sustainable development.

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Meaningful progress requires coordinated collective action and strong regional and international partnerships capable of addressing the root causes of crises while advancing security, stability, and sustainable development across the region.