French Defense Minister Michele Alliot-Marie called for a strategic cooperation between Europe and the oil-rich Gulf on security matters.
"I am convinced that the time has come to go up a level in our cooperation," she said at the start of a forum organized by the International Institute for Strategic Studies think-tank in Manama.
"Concerning security issues, the Arabian-Persian Gulf seems to many like the private domain of the United States," she said.
Alliot-Marie said "Europe could provide a very important contribution to the region because it is a heavyweight actor and because we, Europeans, consider that we are capable of bring in our experience and help in the stabilization of the Gulf."
She said the mechanism established by Europe for regional cooperation outside its own borders could be an example for cooperation with Gulf states.
"It could be a joint action between the European Union and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)," which groups Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, she said.
"I consider that it is high time for European states and countries of the Gulf to consolidate their cooperation in this domain (security) in order to contribute, together, to the stabilization of this vital region of the world," she said.
Singapore's deputy prime minister, S. Jayakumar, also called at the forum for joining world "efforts in order to confront the internationalization of terrorism."
"It is important to create an atmosphere of confidence, discussions between different countries," said Qatari Foreign Minister Hamad bin Jassem bin Jabr al-Thani.
Alliot-Marie, who was expected to visit neighboring Qatar on Sunday, also welcomed the GCC's decision on Friday to press for the elimination of nuclear arms in the Middle East.
