The European Union and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) share the same position on the current dramatic situation in Gaza, calling for restraint and calm, an EU spokesperson said Thursday.

EU spokesperson for foreign affairs and security policy, Peter Stano, told a news conference in Brussels that the EU?’s position was discussed and endorsed with the GCC countries during the EU-GCC ministerial held in Muscat, Oman, on Tuesday.

In their joint Declaration both the blocs "called for restraint and calm on all sides. This is a position agreed by the EU its member states and the GCC countries," said Stano.

"The international community is engaged in efforts to make sure that this latest escalation is brought to an end very soon so that no more civilians have to suffer on either side," he added.

The 27-member European Union and the six-member Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Tuesday called for a halt to all acts of violence and any unilateral measures in Palestine.

A Co-Chairs?’ Statement released after the 27th GCC-EU Joint Council and Ministerial Meeting in Muscat, Oman, expressed support to the efforts of Saudi Arabia, the European Union and the League of Arab States to revive the Middle East peace process in cooperation with Egypt and Jordan, to help put an end to the violence and start the path toward peace and security.

The EU and the GCC Ministers reiterated their commitment to a two-state solution, living securely side-by-side, based on the 1967 lines, in accordance with the Arab Peace Initiative and all relevant UN resolutions, the maintenance of the historical and religious status quo of the holy sites in Jerusalem, and a just and fair settlement for refugees.

Source: Kuwait News Agency