Publish: 13:48, 17 Oct, 2024

Saudi prince in Brussels as EU holds summit with GCC

Online Desk
Saudi prince in Brussels as EU holds summit with GCC
Photo - Collected

The European Union(EU) opened its first summit with the Gulf states on Wednesday in Brussels, reports Arab News/Reuters. 

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Charles Michel welcomed Mohammed bin Salman, the Saudi Crown Prince.

Later, on Wednesday, the Prince had a meeting with Von der Leyen on the sidelines of the event.

The prince also had meetings with French president Emmanuel Macron, Spanish prime minister Pedro Sanchez, and Greek premier Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

Opening the summit, the European Council President affirmed the bloc's readiness to build a strategic partnership with the GCC countries.

He further stated that hope was needed more than ever as global stability is in serious jeopardy due to the situation in the Middle East.

Since Russia’s assault on Ukraine, the  EU has reached out to other regional blocs such as ASEAN and  CELAC.

The goal of the meeting with the six Arab states of the Gulf Cooperation Council is to strengthen the relationship and make it more strategic, acknowledging their influence, especially in conflicts like those in Ukraine and the Middle East.

“The Gulf region is at the crossroads between Asia, Europe and Africa. It plays a very important role in many of the crisis of today,” a senior EU official said.

An EU partnership with GCC states would cover trade and investment, renewable energy, regional security and citizen issues such as visas.

Even though the EU wants GCC partners to agree with its narrative concerning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, it does not expect them to fully adopt the West’s position in blaming Moscow.

Meanwhile, the Gulf states are requesting visa liberalization. At present, no EU visas are required for short stays for UAE citizens. However, other Gulf nations need to secure a visa valid for five years.

bd-pratidin/Rafid

More News
India begins biggest-ever joint naval exercises in Africa
India begins biggest-ever joint naval exercises in Africa
Russian missile attack on Ukraine’s City Center kills 32
Russian missile attack on Ukraine’s City Center kills 32
Hamas slams Israeli airstrike on Al-Ahli Hospital
Hamas slams Israeli airstrike on Al-Ahli Hospital
US strikes target educational, training center in Yemen
US strikes target educational, training center in Yemen
As China-US 'tariff beef' rises, Chinese businesses ponder the future
As China-US 'tariff beef' rises, Chinese businesses ponder the future
4 earthquakes jolt India, Myanmar and Tajikistan within 1hr
4 earthquakes jolt India, Myanmar and Tajikistan within 1hr
Scottish rowing brothers aim for record-breaking Pacific crossing
Scottish rowing brothers aim for record-breaking Pacific crossing
US-funded Arabic network ends broadcasts after Trump cuts
US-funded Arabic network ends broadcasts after Trump cuts
China builds world’s highest bridge, slashing travel time from 1 hour to 1 minute
China builds world’s highest bridge, slashing travel time from 1 hour to 1 minute
Russian diplomat says results of US-Iranian talks in Oman reassuring
Russian diplomat says results of US-Iranian talks in Oman reassuring
South Korea's ex-president Yoon to face insurrection trial
South Korea's ex-president Yoon to face insurrection trial
UK takes control of British Steel under emergency powers
UK takes control of British Steel under emergency powers
Latest News
Malika Sherawat has 'silicon in her chest': Aditi Rao
Malika Sherawat has 'silicon in her chest': Aditi Rao
9 hours ago | Entertainment
Aamir with girlfriend Gauri showcase traditional glamour at Macau festival
Aamir with girlfriend Gauri showcase traditional glamour at Macau festival
9 hours ago | Entertainment
India begins biggest-ever joint naval exercises in Africa
India begins biggest-ever joint naval exercises in Africa
9 hours ago | International
Russian missile attack on Ukraine’s City Center kills 32
Russian missile attack on Ukraine’s City Center kills 32
10 hours ago | International
Bangladesh receives Tk3,100cr investment proposals: BIDA
Bangladesh receives Tk3,100cr investment proposals: BIDA
10 hours ago | Business
'Pahela Baishakh a bright component in national identity'
'Pahela Baishakh a bright component in national identity'
10 hours ago | National
Dhaka signs OIC Labour Centre Statute
Dhaka signs OIC Labour Centre Statute
11 hours ago | National
‘Fascist must not allow destroy nation’s culture’
‘Fascist must not allow destroy nation’s culture’
12 hours ago | National
Hamas slams Israeli airstrike on Al-Ahli Hospital
Hamas slams Israeli airstrike on Al-Ahli Hospital
12 hours ago | International
Islamic Foundation for offering Jumma prayers at a time across country
Islamic Foundation for offering Jumma prayers at a time across country
13 hours ago | National
Gas prices for industries raised by 33%
Gas prices for industries raised by 33%
13 hours ago | Business
Bangladesh reinstates 'Except Israel' clause on passports
Bangladesh reinstates 'Except Israel' clause on passports
14 hours ago | National
Bangladesh’s Forex reserves reach $26.15bn
Bangladesh’s Forex reserves reach $26.15bn
14 hours ago | National
Swimming pool opens for Bashundhara Public School & College students
Swimming pool opens for Bashundhara Public School & College students
14 hours ago | National
Rizwana for localised solutions to waste management
Rizwana for localised solutions to waste management
14 hours ago | National
US strikes target educational, training center in Yemen
US strikes target educational, training center in Yemen
15 hours ago | International
‘I couldn’t take anything positive from this PSL, it was all a loss’
‘I couldn’t take anything positive from this PSL, it was all a loss’
15 hours ago | Sports
As China-US 'tariff beef' rises, Chinese businesses ponder the future
As China-US 'tariff beef' rises, Chinese businesses ponder the future
15 hours ago | International
4 earthquakes jolt India, Myanmar and Tajikistan within 1hr
4 earthquakes jolt India, Myanmar and Tajikistan within 1hr
16 hours ago | International
Record 32.30 lakh tonnes of potatoes produced in Rangpur
Record 32.30 lakh tonnes of potatoes produced in Rangpur
16 hours ago | National
Law ministry recommends withdrawal of 7,184 politically motivated cases
Law ministry recommends withdrawal of 7,184 politically motivated cases
16 hours ago | National
‘Int'l Buddhist Monastery a symbol of communal harmony’
‘Int'l Buddhist Monastery a symbol of communal harmony’
16 hours ago | National
Scottish rowing brothers aim for record-breaking Pacific crossing
Scottish rowing brothers aim for record-breaking Pacific crossing
17 hours ago | International
CID hints at ACP Pradyuman's comeback
CID hints at ACP Pradyuman's comeback
17 hours ago | Entertainment
Bringing one crore expatriate voters under balloting system big challenge
Bringing one crore expatriate voters under balloting system big challenge
17 hours ago | National
DB chief Rezaul Karim removed from post
DB chief Rezaul Karim removed from post
17 hours ago | National
US-funded Arabic network ends broadcasts after Trump cuts
US-funded Arabic network ends broadcasts after Trump cuts
17 hours ago | International
Bourses open lower in Dhaka and Chattogram
Bourses open lower in Dhaka and Chattogram
17 hours ago | Business
China builds world’s highest bridge, slashing travel time from 1 hour to 1 minute
China builds world’s highest bridge, slashing travel time from 1 hour to 1 minute
17 hours ago | International
Rajuk Plot Scam: Arrest warrant against Hasina, Rehana, Tulip
Rajuk Plot Scam: Arrest warrant against Hasina, Rehana, Tulip
17 hours ago | National
Most Read
Drone show, music to light up Dhaka on Pahela Baishakh
Drone show, music to light up Dhaka on Pahela Baishakh
21 hours ago | City
Swimming pool opens for Bashundhara Public School & College students
Swimming pool opens for Bashundhara Public School & College students
14 hours ago | National
Record 32.30 lakh tonnes of potatoes produced in Rangpur
Record 32.30 lakh tonnes of potatoes produced in Rangpur
16 hours ago | National
Law ministry recommends withdrawal of 7,184 politically motivated cases
Law ministry recommends withdrawal of 7,184 politically motivated cases
16 hours ago | National
Adani plant resumes power supply after 17-hour technical outage
Adani plant resumes power supply after 17-hour technical outage
22 hours ago | National
Weather Forecast: Rain likely in parts of country, heat wave sweeps south
Weather Forecast: Rain likely in parts of country, heat wave sweeps south
19 hours ago | National
Low export, high import from Nepal and Bhutan
Low export, high import from Nepal and Bhutan
18 hours ago | Special
‘Int'l Buddhist Monastery a symbol of communal harmony’
‘Int'l Buddhist Monastery a symbol of communal harmony’
17 hours ago | National
CID hints at ACP Pradyuman's comeback
CID hints at ACP Pradyuman's comeback
17 hours ago | Entertainment
Private investments are declining
Private investments are declining
20 hours ago | Special
How Israeli media portrayed Dhaka’s ‘March for Gaza’
How Israeli media portrayed Dhaka’s ‘March for Gaza’
21 hours ago | National
Bourses open lower in Dhaka and Chattogram
Bourses open lower in Dhaka and Chattogram
17 hours ago | Business
Matarbari deep-seaport construction deal signing likely this month
Matarbari deep-seaport construction deal signing likely this month
19 hours ago | Business
Inter-agency task force formed to recover laundered money: BB governor
Inter-agency task force formed to recover laundered money: BB governor
22 hours ago | Business
Dhaka chokes again, ranks fifth in worst air quality
Dhaka chokes again, ranks fifth in worst air quality
22 hours ago | City
Climate crisis worsens pollen allergies, asthma threat
Climate crisis worsens pollen allergies, asthma threat
18 hours ago | Lifestyle
Dhaka roars for Gaza: A sea of protest demands end to Israeli brutality
Dhaka roars for Gaza: A sea of protest demands end to Israeli brutality
20 hours ago | National
King, queen’s Italy visit deemed major success
King, queen’s Italy visit deemed major success
19 hours ago | International
Weekly bourses overview: Stocks slip despite turnover surge
Weekly bourses overview: Stocks slip despite turnover surge
21 hours ago | Business
CA lays foundation stone of Sampriti Bhaban
CA lays foundation stone of Sampriti Bhaban
19 hours ago | National
Gas prices for industries raised by 33%
Gas prices for industries raised by 33%
13 hours ago | Business
Lemon water on empty stomach: Nutritionist explains the benefits
Lemon water on empty stomach: Nutritionist explains the benefits
20 hours ago | Lifestyle
Bangladesh reinstates 'Except Israel' clause on passports
Bangladesh reinstates 'Except Israel' clause on passports
14 hours ago | National
Abhishek plunders 141 as Hyderabad pull off second-highest IPL chase
Abhishek plunders 141 as Hyderabad pull off second-highest IPL chase
22 hours ago | Sports
Palestinian envoy thanks Bangladesh for mass rally in Dhaka
Palestinian envoy thanks Bangladesh for mass rally in Dhaka
23 hours ago | National
Rajuk Plot Scam: Arrest warrant against Hasina, Rehana, Tulip
Rajuk Plot Scam: Arrest warrant against Hasina, Rehana, Tulip
17 hours ago | National
Bangladesh’s Forex reserves reach $26.15bn
Bangladesh’s Forex reserves reach $26.15bn
14 hours ago | National
South Korea's ex-president Yoon to face insurrection trial
South Korea's ex-president Yoon to face insurrection trial
18 hours ago | International
Russian missile strikes Indian pharma firm's Kyiv warehouse
Russian missile strikes Indian pharma firm's Kyiv warehouse
21 hours ago | International
DU arsonist identified, to be arrested before Pahela Baishakh procession
DU arsonist identified, to be arrested before Pahela Baishakh procession
18 hours ago | National