GCC chief Al Budaiwi: EU remains a very important strategic partner

GCC chief Al Budaiwi: EU remains a very important strategic partner

Brussels: Secretary General of the Cooperation Council for Arab States of the Gulf (GCC) Jasem Al Budaiwi Friday met with EU High Representative Josep Borrell in Brussels, discussing bilateral relations and issues of mutual interest.

“The meeting with Mr. Borrell was very important and comprehensive. We discussed issues that are related to GCC and EU and other topics related to regional files,” Al Budaiwi told the Kuwait News agency (KUNA) after the meeting.

“Mr. Borrell is a great friend to the region and we expressed our appreciation to the efforts that the EU has been exerting towards the GCC region,” said the chief of GCC which includes Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

Al Budaiwi expressed appreciation for the EU adoption in May 2022 a “Communication on Strategic Partnership with the Gulf,” as well as for recent appointment of an EU special representative for the Gulf, Luigi de Maio, a former Italian foreign minister.

Moreover, the GCC chief revealed that the discussions with Borrel dealt with the upcoming joint ministerial meeting between the 27-member European bloc and the six-member GCC, due in the Omani capital Muscat on October 10.

“We touched on issues that we both need to cooperate for the benefit