Saudi Crown Prince Meets Presidents of Djibouti, Comoros, Lebanese PM 

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman meets with President of Djibouti Omar Guelleh in Riyadh on Saturday. (SPA)
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman meets with President of Djibouti Omar Guelleh in Riyadh on Saturday. (SPA)
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Saudi Crown Prince Meets Presidents of Djibouti, Comoros, Lebanese PM 

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman meets with President of Djibouti Omar Guelleh in Riyadh on Saturday. (SPA)
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman meets with President of Djibouti Omar Guelleh in Riyadh on Saturday. (SPA)

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, held talks in Riyadh on Saturday with President of Djibouti Omar Guelleh. 

They tackled bilateral relations between their countries and ways to bolster them. 

Crown Prince Mohammed also met with President of the Comoros Azali Assoumani for talks on cooperation between their countries. 

Both meetings were attended by Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, Minister of Sports Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki al-Faisal, Minister of Interior Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz, Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman and Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah. 

Crown Prince Mohammed later met with Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati. 

He underscored the Kingdom’s keenness on Lebanon’s security and stability, adding that Saudi Arabia and France will continue on providing it with humanitarian aid. 

Mikati expressed his gratitude to Riyadh’s historic stances towards his country and its pivotal role in consolidating Lebanese reconciliation at the 1989 Taif conference. 

He added that his government is committed to taking all steps that would prevent harm against the Kingdom and all other Arab countries. 

Crown Prince Mohammed and Mikati stressed the need to elect a Lebanese president and for Lebanon to implement reforms to meet the aspirations of the people and demands of the international community. 



EU Gulf Envoy: Saudi Arabia Is a Crucial Global Player

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman receiving European Council President Charles Michel on Tuesday (SPA)
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman receiving European Council President Charles Michel on Tuesday (SPA)
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EU Gulf Envoy: Saudi Arabia Is a Crucial Global Player

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman receiving European Council President Charles Michel on Tuesday (SPA)
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman receiving European Council President Charles Michel on Tuesday (SPA)

Luigi Di Maio, the EU Special Representative for the Gulf region, told Asharq Al-Awsat that the recent visit by the President of the European Council to Saudi Arabia was to prepare for the upcoming EU-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) summit in Brussels on October 16.

This will be the first summit between the two regional organizations, with leaders from both sides attending, marking a significant step in their cooperation.

Di Maio stressed the importance of strong ties between leaders, noting that European Council President Charles Michel has been dedicated to strengthening these relations since his first visit to the Gulf two years ago, when he met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Jeddah.

He added that since 2022, EU-Gulf relations have improved, with a focus on cooperation in areas like climate change, trade, investment, digitization, and sustainable supply chains.

Di Maio emphasized the need for ongoing dialogue to build mutual understanding and deepen these relations.

He highlighted Saudi Arabia’s key role in global affairs, especially in seeking solutions for the Gaza conflict, reducing tensions in the Middle East, and pursuing a just peace in Ukraine.

He stressed that closer cooperation between the EU and Saudi Arabia is essential in tackling these issues.

Di Maio praised Thursday’s preparatory meeting in Riyadh between GCC Secretary-General Jasem Al-Budaiwi and Michel, calling it “timely and constructive” for the upcoming summit.

He emphasized both sides’ commitment to making the summit a success, noting that it will “send a strong signal about elevating EU-Gulf relations to a strategic level.”

Di Maio outlined the key topics for discussion at the summit in Brussels, including climate action, the green transition, digital advancements, trade, investments, and visa exemptions.

He added that the summit will also address major geopolitical challenges, particularly in the Middle East and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.