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The Saudi Press Agency reported that Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed Elkhereiji hosted Luigi Di Maio at a meeting in the Saudi capital. The two sides reviewed the latest developments across the region while exploring opportunities for closer coordination between the Kingdom and the European Union on shared priorities. Di Maio conveyed the European Union’s solidarity with Saudi leadership and its people amid ongoing regional challenges, the agency added. The Saudi Press Agency further detailed that Ambassador Abdulrahman Al-Ahmad, director general for European countries at the Foreign Ministry, and Christophe Farnaud, the European Union ambassador to the Kingdom, attended the discussions.
According to the Foreign Ministry’s official account on X, the session focused on ways the Kingdom and the EU could collaborate more effectively on current issues. This encounter reflects a pattern of regular high-level contacts between Saudi officials and European representatives aimed at aligning positions on security matters. The ministry’s statement underscored the importance both parties attach to sustained dialogue as regional dynamics evolve.
A European Parliament resolution adopted in December 2025 highlighted the upcoming EU-GCC summit scheduled for Riyadh in 2026 as a platform to deepen ties. The document from the European Parliament noted Saudi Arabia’s contributions to de-escalation efforts in Yemen and maritime security in the Red Sea alongside its role in hosting talks on Ukraine. Such engagements build on the first EU-GCC summit held in 2024 and the joint ministerial meeting in October 2025 that produced commitments to enhanced cooperation.
The European Union’s strategic partnership framework with the Gulf Cooperation Council has expanded to cover economic resilience, security coordination and diplomatic initiatives in recent years. European Parliament records indicate negotiations are underway for a dedicated strategic partnership agreement with Saudi Arabia to formalize collaboration in energy, trade and regional stability. Luigi Di Maio, who maintains an active schedule of visits across the Gulf, has repeatedly emphasized the mutual benefits of these ties in public statements carried by regional outlets.
Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry has positioned these meetings as part of broader efforts to address international developments through multilateral channels. The March 17 session aligns with similar discussions Di Maio held with other GCC counterparts throughout 2026 on topics ranging from food security to counterterrorism. Officials from both sides have stressed the value of consistent communication to navigate complex regional circumstances effectively.
