Luigi Di Maio, the European Union's Special Representative for the Gulf Region, said that holding the upcoming Gulf-European summit in Saudi Arabia is doubly important in light of the circumstances the region is going through, stressing that the two sides are looking forward to building a stronger and more ambitious partnership that includes security, defense, economy, new technologies and artificial intelligence.
Di Maio explained, in statements to Asharq Al-Awsat, on the sidelines of the Saudi-European forward-looking dialogue in Riyadh, on Wednesday, organized by the Gulf Research Center and the European Union, that the presence of the leaders of the European Union member states in Saudi Arabia reflects the importance that the two sides attach to their relations, and at the same time carries a message of “solidarity and political support” to the countries of the region, especially the Kingdom in light of the current developments.
In October, the Saudi capital, Riyadh, will host the second Gulf-European summit, with the participation of kings, leaders and heads of state from both sides.
He added: “The situation in the region further confirms the importance of holding this summit,” adding that the participation of the European leadership reflects “the importance of relations between the two sides, and most importantly, solidarity and political support for the countries of the region, and especially for Saudi Arabia, given the current situation.”
An “ambitious” summit
The anticipated summit comes two years after the first meeting at the level of leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries and the European Union in Brussels, which established a periodic path of meetings between leaders of the two sides.
Di Maio pointed out that the first summit established the principle of holding this meeting periodically every two years, with Saudi Arabia hosting its second edition, adding: “Here we are, two years after the first summit, preparing for the second summit.”
Regarding the main files expected to be presented at the summit table, the European representative was reserved about revealing the details in light of the continuing negotiations and preparations, but he stressed that the level of ambition is high on both sides.
He said: “What I can say is that the two sides want this summit to be very ambitious,” pointing out that the files are still under preparation and negotiation.
Geopolitical “earthquakes”.
Di Maio placed the Gulf-European rapprochement in the context of the rapid transformations taking place in the international system, considering that Europe and the Gulf face common security challenges that require strengthening cooperation rather than dealing with them individually.
He added: “We are facing a new era. The world is moving from pluralism to a multipolar world,” noting that Europe and the Gulf region are facing what he described as “earthquakes” resulting from rapid geopolitical transformations.
He continued: “It is better for us to face these challenges together rather than for each party to face them alone,” stressing that both Europe and the Gulf need stronger cooperation with the other party.
From defense to artificial intelligence
The European official does not limit the required areas of cooperation to the political and security aspects, but rather sees a wide space to build a multi-level partnership that extends from the economy and defense to relations between peoples and modern technologies.
He said that the two sides need stronger partnerships “from the economy to communication between peoples, from defense to new technologies and the race in the field of artificial intelligence,” in addition to strengthening cooperation between universities and companies in the two regions.
Di Maio pointed out that there are a large number of initiatives that are already being worked on among institutions, companies and communities in Europe and the Gulf, considering that the time has come to put them within a more organized and integrated framework.
He added that the current stage represents the “appropriate time” to frame these initiatives in an organized partnership, recalling the formula that the leaders of both sides agreed upon at the previous summit: “a strategic partnership for peace and prosperity.”
Greater European participation
For his part, Dr. Abdulaziz bin Saqr, President of the Gulf Research Center, stressed the necessity of achieving a Gulf-European consensus on important regional issues, pointing to the French position in support of Saudi Arabia’s efforts regarding the two-state solution, and working to present it in New York, in addition to the recognition of a Palestinian state by a number of countries.
He explained in an exclusive interview with Asharq Al-Awsat that among the most prominent issues at hand is how to build a common understanding of the concept of Gulf security, deal with Iranian attacks on countries in the region, close the Strait of Hormuz, and Tehran use its arms to obstruct navigation in Bab al-Mandab, which affects the global economy, freedom of navigation, and political positions.
Bin Saqr stressed that what is required goes beyond declaring positions to actual participation in ensuring freedom of maritime navigation, noting that the European mission “ASPEDS” represents a good force, but it needs to double its capabilities.
He added: “The Europeans also benefit from the security of the sea lanes, and protecting navigation is an international responsibility, and not the responsibility of Saudi Arabia alone.”
Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, on behalf of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz, delivers (Wednesday) the annual royal speech to open the work of the third year of the ninth session of the Shura Council.
Sheikh Dr. Abdullah Al Al-Sheikh, Chairman of the Saudi Shura Council, affirmed that the annual royal speech represents a national reference that guides the Shura Council in performing its mission and serving the nation and the citizen, with the contents it contains that outline the state’s directions and priorities. He pointed out the solid position that the speech has gained over the years as a comprehensive national document that reviews the Kingdom’s policies and directions, keeps pace with the rapid development and transformations it is witnessing, and illuminates the Council’s paths of work in developing the system. Legislation and enhancing performance efficiency, which contributes to achieving the goals of “Saudi Vision 2030” and its future aspirations.
Dr. Al-Sheikh expressed great pride in the Crown Prince honoring the Council and delivering the annual royal speech on behalf of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, stressing that this occasion embodies the leadership’s care for the Council and its role in the process of national action.
He stated that during the work of the second year of the ninth session, the Council continued to perform its legislative and oversight tasks, as it held 46 sessions, during which it issued 555 decisions that dealt with the annual reports of government agencies, rules and regulations, and memorandums of understanding and cooperation.
He explained that the Council’s specialized committees held 376 meetings during the past Shura year, in which 331 officials from relevant authorities participated, within the framework of discussing topics, completing aspects of their studies, and enhancing integration and coordination with government agencies, in a way that enriches the Council’s work and raises the quality of its outputs.
He reported that the Shura Council recorded remarkable activity in parliamentary diplomacy, through 135 internal and external parliamentary activists, which varied between participations, meetings and visits, and contributed to strengthening relations with councils and parliaments, and opening broader horizons for cooperation and exchange of parliamentary expertise and experiences.
Al-Sheikh pointed out that the support enjoyed by parliamentary diplomacy from the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, and the support and empowerment of the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, enabled the Council to expand its presence and partnerships in regional and international parliamentary forums and organizations, and to contribute effectively to addressing issues of common interest, in a way that serves the Kingdom’s interests and reflects its positions and orientations.
