ROSITSA DOROVSKA and ALEX WOODMAN
A press conference by EU Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Sultanate of Oman, His Excellency Patrick Simonnet
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia and the European Union (EU) work on a cooperation agreement covering regional and international issues. The announcement was made during a press conference by EU Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Sultanate of Oman, His Excellency Patrick Simonnet.
The briefing was held at the headquarters of the EU Delegation in Riyadh. It was the first in-person event since the appointment of Ambassador Simonnet as the Head of the EU Delegation and the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. His Excellency, together with his team members, made an in-depth presentation on the agenda of the EU Delegation, initiatives, and opportunities for cooperation with Saudi Arabia and the region.
They shared details and data on economic and workforce exchange between Saudi Arabia and EU member states. Currently, about 20,000 EU citizens live and/or work in the Kingdom. As of 2020, trade exchanges amounted to $27.42 billion exports from the EU to Saudi Arabia and $17.92 billion imports from Saudi Arabia to EU. In addition, the EU is the second-largest trading partner of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). Thus, Ambassador Simonnet expressed his hope that negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the EU and the GCC (started in 1990) will resume and expand trade and investment opportunities, especially with Saudi Arabia.
His Excellency appreciated the declaration of Al – Ula and highlighted the stability and the unity among the GCC countries as one of the EU’s main priorities. Reflecting on security and political partnership, Ambassador Simonnet recalled the recent visit of Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs, His Highness Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, to Europe and the visit of the EU Counterterrorism Coordinator to Saudi Arabia.
Other topics of common interest discussed during press conference included climate goals, energy, digitalization, culture, and health. It is of high importance to note that, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the EU is the Kingdom’s first vaccine supplier. Furthermore, the EU Delegation has highly appreciated the recently announced Saudi Green Initiative. As with the European Green Deal, the Saudi Green Initiative is already implementing EU technology in NEOM. Ambassador Simonnet noted that Europe can benefit from the export of green hydrogen from the Kingdom. His Excellency answered questions about the post-pandemic tourism industry and economic recovery.
As part of his closing remarks, Ambassador Simonnet, expressed his genuine respect for the people of Saudi Arabia, their generosity, and hospitality. His Excellency emphasized his admiration for the diverse nature and culture of Saudi Arabia as he traveled across the Kingdom. In addition, he highlighted the historically rooted relationship between Europe and the Kingdom.
To conclude, EU Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, His Excellency Patrick Simonnet, expressed his sincere hope for a prosperous future for Saudi Arabia given the enormous potential of its youth.
