Saudi Crown Prince, Brazilian President Hold Talks, Witness Signing of Bilateral MoU

Saudi Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, received President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva of the Federative Republic of Brazil at the Royal Court at Al-Yamamah palace. (SPA)
Saudi Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, received President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva of the Federative Republic of Brazil at the Royal Court at Al-Yamamah palace. (SPA)
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Saudi Crown Prince, Brazilian President Hold Talks, Witness Signing of Bilateral MoU

Saudi Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, received President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva of the Federative Republic of Brazil at the Royal Court at Al-Yamamah palace. (SPA)
Saudi Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, received President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva of the Federative Republic of Brazil at the Royal Court at Al-Yamamah palace. (SPA)

Saudi Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, received President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva of the Federative Republic of Brazil at the Royal Court at Al-Yamamah palace, SPA said on Tuesday.
An official welcome ceremony was held for the Brazilian president.
The Crown Prince extended a warm welcome to the Brazilian President at the beginning of their meeting and wished him and his accompanying delegation a pleasant stay.
The Brazilian president expressed his gratitude and appreciation for the warm hospitality and gracious reception received.
The two men reviewed aspects of relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Federative Republic of Brazil and discussed joint coordination to enhance cooperation in various fields.
They explored promising investment opportunities in both nations to serve mutual interests. They also addressed the regional and international developments, as well as issues of common interest and the efforts directed towards them.
Attending the talks were Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Minister of Energy; Prince Turki bin Mohammed bin Fahd bin Abdulaziz, Minister of State and Cabinet Member; Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal bin Abdulaziz, Minister of Sports; Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz, Minister of Interior; Prince Abdullah bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz, Minister of the National Guard; and Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Minister of Defense.
The meeting was also attended by the Saudi Minister of State, Cabinet's Member and National Security Advisor, Musaed bin Mohammed Al-Aiban; Minister of Commerce, Majid bin Abdullah Al-Qasabi; Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture, Abdulrahman bin Abdulmohsen Al-Fadhli; Minister of Investment, Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al-Falih; Minister of Finance, Mohammed bin Abdullah Al-Jadaan; and the Saudi Ambassador to Brazil, Faisal bin Ibrahim Ghulam.
From the Brazilian side, the attendees included President of the National Congress Rodrigo Otavio Soares Pacheco; Chief of Staff of the Presidential Office Rui Costa; Minister of Finance Fernando Haddad; Minister of Ports and Airports Silvio Costa Filho; Minister of Agriculture Carlos Favaro; Minister of Mines and Energy Alexandre Silveira; and various other senior Brazilian officials.
Afterwards, the Crown Prince and the Brazilian President witnessed the signing ceremony of a bilateral memorandum of understanding (MoU) in the field of energy between the Saudi Ministry of Energy and the Brazilian Ministry of Mines and Energy.
Prince Abdulaziz signed the MoU from the Saudi side while Silveira signed from the Brazilian side.



Gulf Cooperation Council Condemns Israeli Strike on Iran, Calls for Diplomacy

Jasem Mohammed Albudaiwi, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, during the extraordinary meeting of the GCC Ministerial Council held via video conference (GCC). 
Jasem Mohammed Albudaiwi, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, during the extraordinary meeting of the GCC Ministerial Council held via video conference (GCC). 
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Gulf Cooperation Council Condemns Israeli Strike on Iran, Calls for Diplomacy

Jasem Mohammed Albudaiwi, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, during the extraordinary meeting of the GCC Ministerial Council held via video conference (GCC). 
Jasem Mohammed Albudaiwi, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, during the extraordinary meeting of the GCC Ministerial Council held via video conference (GCC). 

In an extraordinary virtual session held Sunday, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) strongly condemned Israel’s recent airstrikes on Iran, denouncing them as a violation of Iranian sovereignty and a blatant breach of international law and the UN Charter. The council urged an immediate return to diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the growing regional tensions.

GCC Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi described the current escalation as “unprecedented,” pointing to the Israeli military strikes on Iranian territory and Tehran’s subsequent retaliatory actions.

“These developments have sharply heightened tensions in the region,” he said, warning that they “open the door to uncertain and troubling scenarios.”

Albudaiwi revealed that in light of the unfolding crisis, the GCC Emergency Management Center had been activated to monitor and respond to potential consequences, particularly those involving Iran’s nuclear facilities.

“We acted swiftly and responsibly in recognition of the gravity of the situation,” he said, citing the danger of strikes on nuclear infrastructure and the potential for serious environmental and technical fallout.

Among the chief concerns raised during the meeting were the regional consequences of a broader escalation - especially any damage to nuclear sites - and the far-reaching impacts this could have on the environment, regional infrastructure, and the economic stability of Gulf states. The GCC also highlighted the risks to global supply chains, energy markets, and the security of key maritime corridors.

In a statement, the council emphasized that “until now, all technical indicators remain within safe limits,” adding that there is no immediate cause for alarm. Nonetheless, member states remain on high alert. “Full readiness and constant vigilance are essential in facing this volatile situation,” said Albudaiwi.

He also reaffirmed the council’s foundational values of unity, collective security, and regional stability. “The GCC was established on the principles of solidarity and joint action,” he said. “We continue to believe that stability is essential for the prosperity and well-being of our peoples.”

Albudaiwi reiterated the GCC’s longstanding commitment to conflict prevention, dialogue facilitation, and the avoidance of military escalation.

“We renew our call to all nations and actors to exercise maximum restraint and refrain from further military action,” he said. “The region stands at the edge of a wider conflict that could spiral out of control, with consequences no one can predict or manage.”