RIYADH: On his first trip to Saudi Arabia since his appointment as the European Union’s first special representative for the Gulf region, Luigi Di Maio told Arab News that recent global events show that new cooperation is needed.

He was responding to the question whether European countries could ignore the rise of the GCC and Arab Gulf countries in a multipolar world.

“I think the world is changing and there are new partnerships to build,” Di Maio said during an interview on Thursday that covered topics ranging from the Russia-Ukraine conflict to the economic empowerment of women and youth in the kingdom.

“There are old partnerships that we have built over the past decades. But we are in a period when everything is changing, because of the terrible Russian aggression against Ukraine, because of the pandemic.

“And you (Saudi Arabia and the Gulf states) are taking some initiatives in the region that are very important to us and would welcome them if they are directed towards de-escalation. So, I think it is not a matter of ignoring or overthinking, but we have to work together.”

Di Maio, who assumed his new duties on June 1, said that establishing his role should remove all doubts about the European Union’s intention to deepen relations with the Gulf region.

The appointment by the European Union and its 27 member states for the first time of an EU Special Representative for the Gulf region is evidence of our new ambition to take our work together to a new strategic level. And when I say “partnership,” I mean a true partnership based on dialogue, respect, and results.”

Asked whether the decision to establish the office of the EU Special Representative for the Gulf region was hastened by the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the subsequent global energy crisis, Di Maio said that the move predated the conflict and instead reflected the EU’s real interest in promoting closer bilateral relations.

“We started negotiations and created joint contact before Russia’s aggression against Ukraine,” he said.

I was still a minister at that time. And I remember the process. The idea was the importance it has on a bilateral and multilateral level, and how the EU can do more to modernize the level of partnership.

Then came the Russian aggression. And I think it was very good to agree on joint contact and work on designating the EUSR, because in a period when everything is changing at the bilateral and multilateral level in the geopolitical framework, it is very important for us to be closer to our partners, our strategic partners.

Di Maio kicked off his visit to Riyadh with a meeting with Jassim Al-Budaiwi, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, during which “the parties concerned made preparations for the next fruitful EU-GCC convening on October 10 (in Oman) – a major milestone in the implementation of our strategic partnership.”

Di Maio also met with Prince Turki Al-Faisal, head of the King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies, and Walid El-Khereiji, deputy foreign minister.

Later he met fellow Europeans, including Patrick Simonnet, EU Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Oman.

Di Maio was invited to taste some Saudi dishes.

Although energy still plays a major role in the relationship, Di Maio said the EU and its member states are excited about Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 social reform and economic diversification agenda, which he believes are in line with many of the EU’s own projects, such as NextGenerationEU and the Green Deal. European and growing interest in the region’s hydrogen energy.

“The hydrogen projects that you develop here are very important and we can try to have a strong dialogue about ambitions in the field of hydrogen, in particular about demand in Europe, about hydrogen and your supply of hydrogen in the direction of Europe,” he said.

And on top of that, we’re not just talking about energy. We are talking about technologies and research. We are talking about universities and schools. Because everything is connected to the new horizon of hydrogen and energy.

“And you, as energy supplier countries to Europe, invest a lot in new technologies and renewable energies. Therefore, it is a very good area where we can have a dialogue and we can try to get more synergies, I am sure.”

During this week’s visit, Di Maio was able to see firsthand the progress of Vision 2030 since its launch by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in 2016, which heralded a raft of reforms designed to boost the economic participation of women and youth, and to create a business environment conducive to transforming The Kingdom away from oil to new industries.

“I visited the Shura Council yesterday and they explained to me how many laws they are changing in order to align Vision 2030 with the framework of regulations in force in the country,” Di Maio said.

“You are changing your country. And Vision 2030 – it is one of the important points that show us this change. And I met in Brussels not only with your great ambassador, but even, for example, with the Executive Vice President of the NEOM project.

When I met His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, we talked about NEOM and projects, about Vision 2030 and some innovative projects like NEOM. I think the real challenge now is trying to work together on these projects, on our Green Deal, on NextGenerationEU and your Vision 2030, NEOM projects and others. “

Di Maio believes there is scope for much larger European investments in mega projects in Saudi Arabia, including its smart city, Neom, which is now taking shape on the kingdom’s Red Sea coast.

The European Union and Saudi Arabia already have strong trade and investment ties. In fact, the European Union is Saudi Arabia’s second largest trading partner and the number one foreign direct investor. Di Maio said he had no doubt that trade and investment ties would only get stronger.

“Of course. Now, especially with your new programs around new technologies, new energies and even education and our programs and projects that we are developing in the European Union, where the (European) Commission and Member States are developing new projects directed in the same way, in the same direction, I think there is an opportunity to do more.

“Not only in order to increase the numbers, but in order to increase the substance of our relations through these types of projects that are related to the future of our youth and our young country as you look forward to the new opportunities these young people have.”

However, the relationship between the EU and the Gulf states extends far beyond trade and energy. Di Maio said shared security concerns also play a major role in the strategic partnership.

“It is very important for me to say that in my state, security is one of the pillars,” he said.

“But not just in a classical way, where we talk about maritime security or the classical concept of security, or we can even talk about cyber security, about counter-terrorism initiatives… We have to talk, as I said, in a creative way, the link between security and climate. It’s very important. .”

He added, “My mandate is to facilitate smart solutions, and to support regional diplomatic efforts aimed at making ongoing de-escalation efforts sustainable. I am here to listen and understand the sensitivities and priorities of countries in the region. I am 100 per cent dedicated to this great responsibility and its successful implementation with EU member states and EU institutions.” The European is with you and with the countries of the Gulf region.

Last week, the Gulf states issued a strong condemnation of Sweden’s decision to allow the burning of a copy of the Holy Quran in the capital, Stockholm, by an Iraqi immigrant.

Asked if his office had a role in preventing such acts as part of its mandate to build a strategic partnership with Gulf states, Di Maio said the EU firmly rejects the burning of sacred texts – a viewpoint he said he raised during meetings this week.

“In every bilateral meeting I had during this visit, the point was raised from the beginning of the meeting to say that this person’s burning of the Qur’an is unacceptable, and any kind of burning of holy books is a clear provocation, disrespectful, and at the same time, as I said, the European Union rejects it.” “.

I believe any kind of racism, xenophobia and provocation has no place in our societies. Now is the time to work together to prevent further escalation and prevent these actions from happening.”

Al-Budaiwi, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, said in their meeting on Wednesday that Di Maio conveyed the European Union’s regret, rejection and condemnation of the burning of the copy of the Qur’an.

After moving from being Italy’s foreign minister and deputy prime minister to his current position with the EU, Di Maio said he has always supported a greater role for the EU in forging relations between Europeans and the wider world.

“While I was foreign minister for two years and former deputy prime minister for two years, I fully supported the idea that in order to be stronger as member states we need the EU as an interlocutor in other areas of the world,” he said.

“And the European continent, and the European Union in particular, is the real institution that can be a means of pressure for the member states of the European Union in order to establish new partnerships with the rest of the world.”