The European Union's envoy to Saudi Arabia has expressed the bloc's understanding of the concerns shared by the Gulf States regarding Iranian activity in the region. Patrick Simonnet, the EU Head of Delegation to Bahrain, Oman and Saudi Arabia was speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper. Simonnet clarified that the situation today differs from what it was back in 2015 and many issues needed to be resolved.
“We understand the concerns and reservations of the Gulf states regarding Iranian activities in the region,”
Simonnet said Iran needs to comply and implement the 2015 nuclear deal fully.
“As you know, the EU is coordinating the Vienna talks on the JCPOA agreement with Iran. We need the United States to return the agreement and to ensure that Iran fully implements it,” he said.
Simonnet affirmed the that European Union follows the developments concerning Vision 2030 in Saudi Arabia on the various social and economic levels with great admiration. In the past few weeks, the European Union's delegation officials visited several locations where projects are under way in connection to Vision 2030. Simonnet noted that the reform agenda is progressive, comprehensive and highly effective indicating the European Union's support to the initiatives associated with Vision 2030.
“What makes us enthusiastic about relations with Saudi Arabia is the social, economic, and political reforms that have been achieved during the past five years.”
The European Union is the biggest provider of foreign direct investments to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the second-largest trading partner after China.
