On 29 September, High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Faisal Bin Farhan Al Saud, in Brussels.They discussed issues of common interest, including EU-Saudi bilateral relations, joint EU-Saudi initiatives in the context of the ongoing Saudi G20 Presidency, as well as recent regional developments. High Representative Borrell reiterated the EU’s intention to strengthen bilateral engagement and cooperation with Saudi Arabia via the conclusion of a Cooperation Arrangement between the European External Action Service and the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs and to intensify dialogue on human rights, to which the EU attaches great importance. High Representative Borrell and Foreign Minister Faisal also discussed the ongoing cooperation between the EU and Saudi Arabia in the response to the coronavirus pandemic in the framework of the Saudi G20 Presidency. They both welcomed the successful international pledging conference held in May, co-chaired by the European Commission and Saudi Arabia as rotating chair, and stressed their commitment to supporting international efforts aimed at accelerating the process of manufacturing the vaccine and ensuring its fair distribution to those in need. In the framework of the mandate given to him by EU Foreign Ministers, High Representative Borrell reaffirmed the EU’s willingness to contribute to de-escalation in the Gulf region, support dialogue and promote a regional political solution. High Representative Borrell also recalled the EU’s support to the UN Special Envoy for Yemen and called for all parties to cooperate in bringing the tragic conflict there to an end. The discussion also covered latest developments relating to the situation in the Eastern Mediterranean, Lebanon, Libya, Iraq, the Sahel, the Sudanese transition and the Horn of Africa. Let's block ads! (Why?)