EU foreign policy chief in Riyadh for talks

The EU aims to advance strategic cooperation with the Gulf states on climate change, global access to vaccines and supporting the “green economy,” the bloc’s foreign policy chief has told media briefing.

Josep Borrell, the 27-member European bloc’s high representative for foreign affairs, arrived in Riyadh on Saturday evening for talks that will include visits to the UAE and Qatar.

“The Gulf Cooperation Council is one of our oldest partners. After more than 30 years of EU-GCC partnership, we should use the current momentum to give our cooperation a more strategic orientation,” Borrell said.

“My meetings in Riyadh will be an essential part of my visit. Saudi Arabia is an important actor on the global and multilateral stage, and I trust that its robust commitments at the upcoming COP26 will inspire other energy producers.

“We will discuss how best to support Saudi Arabia’s domestic transformation and economic diversification, in line with the objectives of Vision 2030 and with the involvement of European companies.”

Borrell said would be signing a cooperation arrangement with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan ”that reflects our mutual wish to further intensify our cooperation, and will be a useful instrument to do so.”

He will also convene a joint cooperation council at ministerial level early next year, during the Saudi presidency of the GCC.