UfM Chief: Euro-Med Cooperation Is a Necessity, Not Luxury 

Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) Secretary-General Nasser Kamel. Asharq Al-Awsat
Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) Secretary-General Nasser Kamel. Asharq Al-Awsat
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UfM Chief: Euro-Med Cooperation Is a Necessity, Not Luxury 

Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) Secretary-General Nasser Kamel. Asharq Al-Awsat
Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) Secretary-General Nasser Kamel. Asharq Al-Awsat

Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) Secretary-General Nasser Kamel confirmed that Euro-Mediterranean cooperation, today more than ever, has become a pressing need, not a luxury.

Speaking about efforts undertaken by the union in 2008, Kamel said they faced many hurdles due to global economic and geopolitical crises, but have seen notable improvement.

“The last three to four years have seen overall relative recovery. First, a number of countries have stabilized and returned to growth. Egypt is a model in this regard, as are Morocco and Jordan,” Kamel said in an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat.

“Today, even Tunisia is stabilizing. Of course, countries such as Libya and Syria still need time, but the geo-strategic situation in general is much better now than in previous years,” he added.

Progress was achieved, according to Kamel, as a result of a strong political will harbored by member states.

The UfM is an intergovernmental organization of 43 member states from Europe and the Mediterranean Basin: 28 EU member states and 15 Mediterranean partner countries from North Africa, Western Asia and Southern Europe.

In the Egyptian capital this week, the UfM organized the first trade forum. The event witnessed the participation of more than 150 representatives of governments, stakeholders, business communities, think tanks and trade interlocutors. Attendees work in regional and international organizations.

On the forum’s sidelines, Kamel told an Asharq Al-Awsat correspondent that the UfM finds a positive model for regional integration in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

He also underscored the GCC’s resilience against nearby cluster economies and fierce trade wars. Addressing rising populism in a number of European countries, Kamel said it will not affect the union’s work.

“The UfM’s success or decline can act as a thermometer of the regional situation,” Kamel said on the union’s importance.

According to Kamel, the UfM initially suffered because Europe was experiencing an unprecedented financial crunch, especially in South Africa and the world—meanwhile, the Arab world was in a state of extraordinary liquidity. And then geopolitical challenges emerged with Arab Spring protests sweeping the region.

“Therefore, Euro-Mediterranean cooperation faced great challenges,” he said.

“For different reasons, there was no stability in the north or south … each party suffered its own share of acute crises that ranged from mass waves of immigration to armed conflicts, and so forth.”

Speaking on progress in the UfM workframe, Kamel stressed that “Euro-Mediterranean cooperation is not a luxury, and that it is based on an objective rooted in geographic, historic and political realities.”

“Integration between Europe and the southern Mediterranean is geo-strategic. We are separated by a lake, not a sea, but joined by a shared history (with its negative and positive aspects) and brought together in a world governed by the logic of blocs,” Kamel said, arguing that this gives the UfM indispensable value.



Saudi-US Business Council: Trump’s Visit Marks New Chapter in Partnership

Charles Hallab, Chairman of the Saudi-US Business Council (Asharq Al-Awsat) 
Charles Hallab, Chairman of the Saudi-US Business Council (Asharq Al-Awsat) 
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Saudi-US Business Council: Trump’s Visit Marks New Chapter in Partnership

Charles Hallab, Chairman of the Saudi-US Business Council (Asharq Al-Awsat) 
Charles Hallab, Chairman of the Saudi-US Business Council (Asharq Al-Awsat) 

US President Donald Trump’s upcoming visit to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE is being seen as a milestone, with its primary focus on economics, investment, and strategic deal-making.

Accompanying him is an unprecedented delegation of US business leaders and CEOs from major sectors including finance, banking, cryptocurrency, technology, artificial intelligence, healthcare, manufacturing, and hospitality. These leaders are seeking to open new investment horizons, forge partnerships, and follow Trump’s lead in crafting “win-win” deals that strengthen bilateral commercial ties.

In an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, Charles Hallab, Chairman of the Saudi-US Business Council, said that Trump’s choice of Saudi Arabia as his first international destination signals the beginning of a new era in relations between the United States, Saudi Arabia, the Gulf region, and the broader Middle East.

“Beyond the warm welcome and political discussions, this visit will feature the announcement of new business deals and a celebration of the success of previous agreements,” he said. “More importantly, it marks the start of a deeper phase of economic cooperation and private-sector engagement between the two countries. The agreements set to be signed will significantly strengthen these ties and open doors to diverse investment opportunities.”

Driving Business Forward

Hallab, who is also the founder of Barrington Global, explained that the Saudi-US Business Council is playing an active role in this visit. “Our members and partners are fully engaged in the Investment Forum at the King Abdulaziz International Conference Center in Riyadh. There is considerable anticipation surrounding the major deals to be announced, and I can confirm that several significant agreements and new bilateral initiatives will be unveiled,” he said.

He added that interest spans numerous sectors—from defense, aerospace, and technology to newer areas like education, tourism, culture, and quality of life.

He said: “American business leaders are enthusiastic about forming partnerships with Saudi counterparts. President Trump is also keen to attract nearly $1 trillion in Saudi investments to the United States. This mutual interest shows that both sides are committed not only to commercial exchange but to meaningful, strategic collaboration.”

Hallab noted that this year’s investment forum stands out from those held in the past. “There is a new energy—an unprecedented focus on investments that align with the long-term economic goals of both nations. It’s no longer about short-term returns. Investments are being evaluated based on their broader impact, sustainability, and alignment with national visions such as Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.”

He explained that Saudi investors are looking for opportunities in the US that make sense within this broader strategy—not just financial gains, but partnerships that advance their long-term objectives. “I’m very optimistic. The pieces are falling into place in a way that serves both countries’ goals, which is exactly what we at the Business Council aim to promote—mutual benefit and shared growth.”

The Political Dimension

When asked about the role of politics, including negotiations with Iran and potential ceasefires in Gaza, Hallab acknowledged their influence. “We closely monitor political developments as they inevitably impact business decisions. But Trump’s visit highlights Saudi Arabia’s rising global stature, both economically and diplomatically.”

He praised the remarkable progress of Vision 2030, especially in terms of regulatory reform, anti-corruption efforts, and economic diversification, saying: “Having worked in the region for nearly 30 years, I’ve never seen changes of this scale and speed. Today, unemployment is under 7%, women make up 34% of the workforce, and over half of Saudi GDP comes from the non-oil sector. Saudi Arabia has emerged as a dynamic, diversified economy and a global tourism destination.”

Hallab concluded: “We at the Saudi-US Business Council are proud to contribute to this transformation and are committed to deepening our shared economic future.”