GCC Secretary-General, EU’s Borrell Urge Gaza Ceasefire

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jassem Mohamed Albudaiwi.
Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jassem Mohamed Albudaiwi.
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GCC Secretary-General, EU’s Borrell Urge Gaza Ceasefire

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jassem Mohamed Albudaiwi.
Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jassem Mohamed Albudaiwi.

Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jassem Mohamed Albudaiwi met held talks in Munich on Sunday with High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell.

They highlighted the gravity of the situation in Gaza and its profound impact it is having on the lives of the Palestinian people.

They stressed the need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the swift provision of humanitarian aid and relief to the affected people.

They emphasized the crucial role of collective international action in addressing the significant challenges and consequences arising from various conflicts and crises at both the international and regional levels.

Albudaiwi and Borrell met on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference in Germany.

They discussed issues of mutual interest and means to strengthen collaboration across various fields.

They underlined the historic partnership between the GCC and the European Union and reviewed the agreements reached at the 27th Joint Ministerial Council meeting, which took place in Muscat in October 2023.



Saudi Arabia, US Ink Largest Defense Sales Agreement in History as Trump Visits Riyadh

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, welcomes US President Donald Trump at the Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, welcomes US President Donald Trump at the Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia, US Ink Largest Defense Sales Agreement in History as Trump Visits Riyadh

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, welcomes US President Donald Trump at the Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, welcomes US President Donald Trump at the Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh. (SPA)

Saudi Arabia and the United States signed on Tuesday the largest defense sales agreement in history, worth nearly early $142 billion, as President Donald Trump visited Riyadh.

The agreement will provide Saudi Arabia with state-of-the-art warfighting equipment and services from over a dozen US defense firms, said a White House statement.

The sales that the US intends to complete fall into five broad categories: air force advancement and space capabilities; air and missile defense; maritime and coastal security; border security and land forces modernization; and information and communication systems upgrades.

The package also includes extensive training and support to build the capacity of the Saudi armed forces, including enhancement of Saudi service academies and military medical services, added the statement.

“This deal represents a significant investment in Saudi Arabia’s defense and regional security, built on American systems and training,” it stressed.

“Our defense relationship with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is stronger than ever under President Trump’s leadership, and the package signed today, the largest defense cooperation deal in US history, is a clear demonstration of our commitment to strengthening our partnership,” it said.

“The agreement opens the door for expanded US defense industry participation and long-term sustainment partnerships with Saudi entities.”

“The deepening United States-Saudi Arabia partnership reflects a joint vision for long-term prosperity and employment opportunities in both nations,” said the statement.

Trump had arrived in the Kingdom earlier on Tuesday on his first overseas trip since his reelection. He was received by Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister.

The leaders later chaired the Saudi-American summit that reviewed several joint files.

They then signed an economic strategic partnership agreement and oversaw the signing of several agreements between their countries in various fields.