RIYADH: A European Parliament delegation began a three-day visit to Saudi Arabia with its chair, Reinhold Lopatka, saying talks will focus on security cooperation, energy-transition projects, trade priorities and a proposed strategic partnership.
The visit, running from July 19-21 and covering Riyadh and Jeddah, includes the 18th EU–Kingdom of Saudi Arabia interparliamentary meeting and engagements aimed at strengthening parliamentary dialogue.
The European side is part of the European Parliament’s Delegation for Relations with the Arabian Peninsula, which maintains interparliamentary ties with Gulf countries via the Gulf Cooperation Council.
Europe’s renewed focus on defense is tied to its interest in working more closely with Saudi Arabia on regional security, including efforts to protect commercial shipping and keep trade routes open, Reinhold Lopatka said.
Delegation chair Lopatka told Arab News on Sunday that the trip also follows concern over military strikes affecting the Kingdom earlier this year: “First of all, I have to say that we condemn in the strongest way these discriminatory strikes against Saudi Arabia.”
