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Simonnet to Asharq Al-Awsat: We Understand Gulf States’ Concerns Regarding Iran Activities

The EU’s envoy to Saudi Arabia, Patrick Simonnet (Photo Credit: Ali Al-Dahiri)
The EU’s envoy to Saudi Arabia, Patrick Simonnet (Photo Credit: Ali Al-Dahiri)
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Simonnet to Asharq Al-Awsat: We Understand Gulf States’ Concerns Regarding Iran Activities

The EU’s envoy to Saudi Arabia, Patrick Simonnet (Photo Credit: Ali Al-Dahiri)
The EU’s envoy to Saudi Arabia, Patrick Simonnet (Photo Credit: Ali Al-Dahiri)

The EU’s envoy to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday conveyed the bloc’s understanding of the concern Gulf States have towards Iranian activity in the region, clarifying that the situation today differs from what it was back in 2015 and holds many issues that need resolution.

“We understand the concerns and reservations of the Gulf states regarding Iranian activities in the region,” Patrick Simonnet told Asharq Al-Awsat.

“We are trying to achieve stability, peace, and security in the region,” he pointed out.

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.

As for the Kingdom’s national plan for transformation, dubbed Vision 2030, Simonnet affirmed that the EU follows Saudi social and economic reforms with great admiration.

“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,” he told Asharq Al-Awsat.

He noted that the reform agenda undertaken by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is “progressive, comprehensive and highly effective.”

“We also support all initiatives,” said Simonnet.

It is noteworthy that Simonnet pointed out that the EU was the no.1 provider of foreign direct investments to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GGC) and the second-largest trading partner in the region after China.

The EU diplomat also pointed out the Kingdom’s leading role in the war against terrorism.

“We support the efforts of Saudi Arabia because it is the backbone of the war against terrorism,” he said, adding that the EU backs all of the Kingdom’s efforts on promoting and presenting a new vision of moderate Islam in the region.

“This is very important for us in Europe, and we have a common interest in the field of counter-terrorism and cyber security,” said Simonnet.

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FAO Official: Gulf States Shielded Themselves from Major Shocks

David Laborde, Director of the Agrifood Economics Division at the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
David Laborde, Director of the Agrifood Economics Division at the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
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FAO Official: Gulf States Shielded Themselves from Major Shocks

David Laborde, Director of the Agrifood Economics Division at the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
David Laborde, Director of the Agrifood Economics Division at the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)

David Laborde, Director of the Agrifood Economics Division at the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), told Asharq al-Awsat that global hunger increased sharply during the coronavirus pandemic, noting that the GCC countries were able to shield themselves from major shocks affecting food security.
Laborde added that global hunger affected over 152 million people, with no improvement in the past two years.
Today, 733 million people suffer from chronic hunger, and 2.3 billion face food insecurity, according to the UN annual report on “The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World.”

Laborde explained that the global economic crisis has worsened food insecurity, keeping hunger levels high.
Alongside this, climate shocks and conflicts are major causes of hunger. He also pointed out that food insecurity is closely tied to inequality, and the economic crisis, rising living costs, and high interest rates are deepening existing inequalities both within and between countries.
On whether economic diversification in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries is boosting food security, Laborde said: “A move towards a more diversified economy and enhancing the ability to rely on various sources of food supplies are key drivers of food security resilience and stability.”
“GCC countries have managed to shield themselves from major shocks, primarily due to their high income levels and ability to cover import costs without difficulty,” he explained.
Regarding the FAO’s outlook on reducing global hunger, Laborde insisted that ending hunger will require a significant increase in funding.
When asked for suggestions on how governments could enhance food security, Laborde said: “Despite global figures remaining stable, improvements are seen in Asia and Latin America, showing that the right policies and conditions can reduce numbers.”
“Hunger is not inevitable. Investing in social safety nets to protect the poor, along with making structural changes to food systems to be more environmentally friendly, resilient, and equitable, is the right path forward,” emphasized Laborde.
The annual State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World report, published on Wednesday, said about 733 million people faced hunger in 2023 – one in 11 people globally and one in five in Africa.
Hunger and food insecurity present critical challenges affecting millions globally.
The annual report, released this year during the G20 Global Alliance for Hunger and Poverty Task Force ministerial meeting in Brazil, warns that the world is significantly lagging in achieving Sustainable Development Goal 2—ending hunger by 2030.
It highlights that global progress has regressed by 15 years, with malnutrition levels comparable to those seen in 2008-2009.
Despite some progress in areas like stunting and exclusive breastfeeding, a troubling number of people still face food insecurity and malnutrition, with global hunger levels rising.