Gulf, European Talks Underscore Strategic Partnership

GCC Secretary-General Dr. Nayef Al-Hajraf meets with European Union Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Patrick Simonnet in Riyadh on Monday. (SPA)
GCC Secretary-General Dr. Nayef Al-Hajraf meets with European Union Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Patrick Simonnet in Riyadh on Monday. (SPA)
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Gulf, European Talks Underscore Strategic Partnership

GCC Secretary-General Dr. Nayef Al-Hajraf meets with European Union Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Patrick Simonnet in Riyadh on Monday. (SPA)
GCC Secretary-General Dr. Nayef Al-Hajraf meets with European Union Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Patrick Simonnet in Riyadh on Monday. (SPA)

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Dr. Nayef Al-Hajraf held talks on Monday with European Union Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Patrick Simonnet.

Meeting in Riyadh, they discussed relations between the GCC and EU and ways to strengthen cooperation to achieve common interests.

They also tackled the latest regional and international developments.

They stressed the importance of developing relations and the partnership between the Gulf and EU on the strategic and political levels to serve common interests.

Also on Monday, Hajraf met with Dutch Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Janet Alberda for talks on issues of joint interest in the regional and international arenas.

They discussed Gulf-Dutch relations and cooperation.

Hajraf also met with Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Pakeer Amza for talks on several issues of interest.

They covered cooperation between Gulf countries and Sri Lanka in various fields and reviewed the latest regional and international developments.

Hajraf underlined the importance of strengthening relations between the two parties.



Saudi Arabia Reaffirms Supporting the Mission of the Board of Peace in Gaza

Saudi Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chairing the Cabinet session held in Riyadh - SPA
Saudi Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chairing the Cabinet session held in Riyadh - SPA
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Saudi Arabia Reaffirms Supporting the Mission of the Board of Peace in Gaza

Saudi Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chairing the Cabinet session held in Riyadh - SPA
Saudi Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chairing the Cabinet session held in Riyadh - SPA

Saudi Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chaired the Cabinet session held in Riyadh on Tuesday.

At the outset of the session, the Crown Prince briefed the Cabinet on the message he received from King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of the Kingdom of Bahrain, which addressed relations between the two brotherly countries.

The Cabinet reviewed current regional and international developments, reaffirming the Kingdom’s commitment to supporting the mission of the Board of Peace in Gaza as a transitional authority to end the conflict, facilitate reconstruction, and pave the way for security and stability for the countries and peoples of the region, SPA reported.

In a statement to the SPA following the session, Saudi Minister of Media Salman Al-Dossary said the Cabinet commended the participation of the Kingdom’s delegation in the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting in Davos, highlighting the progress made in achieving Saudi Vision 2030 goals.

The Cabinet also welcomed the Kingdom’s hosting of the WEF Global Collaboration and Growth Meeting, scheduled for April 22–23, reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s role in promoting global economic stability and strengthening communication between developed and developing economies to address shared global challenges.

The Cabinet expressed appreciation for the patronage of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of the third edition of the Global Labor Market Conference in Riyadh, praising the resulting agreements aimed at empowering the workforce, utilizing artificial intelligence, and building sustainable ecosystems. Furthermore, the Cabinet commended the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) for launching its 2026 plan, which comprises 422 humanitarian projects globally, reflecting the Kingdom’s steadfast approach to providing aid and assistance to those in need.

The Cabinet reviewed several reports on completed and ongoing projects and programs within the comprehensive development process. It praised the rapid progress of the Housing Program, which successfully raised the citizen homeownership rate to 66.2% by the end of 2025, with the number of beneficiaries exceeding one million.

The Cabinet also emphasized that more than 700 international companies have chosen Saudi Arabia as their regional headquarters, reflecting the Kingdom’s achievements in infrastructure and its attractive business environment.

The Cabinet deemed the opening of the new expansion at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh and the inauguration of Al-Jouf International Airport as two important pillars for expanding air connectivity, improving the passenger experience, and keeping pace with economic and developmental progress in line with the National Transport and Logistics Strategy under Saudi Vision 2030.


Saudi FM: Relations with UAE Important for Regional Stability

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abduallah and Poland's Foreign Affairs Minister (not in picture) give a joint press conference after their meeting at the Foreign Office in Warsaw, January 26, 2026. (AFP)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abduallah and Poland's Foreign Affairs Minister (not in picture) give a joint press conference after their meeting at the Foreign Office in Warsaw, January 26, 2026. (AFP)
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Saudi FM: Relations with UAE Important for Regional Stability

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abduallah and Poland's Foreign Affairs Minister (not in picture) give a joint press conference after their meeting at the Foreign Office in Warsaw, January 26, 2026. (AFP)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abduallah and Poland's Foreign Affairs Minister (not in picture) give a joint press conference after their meeting at the Foreign Office in Warsaw, January 26, 2026. (AFP)

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abduallah underlined on Monday the importance of relations between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates for the stability of the region.

Speaking from Warsaw after meeting with his Polish counterpart Radoslaw Sikorski, he acknowledged “differences in visions” between the Kingdom and UAE over Yemen.

“The Kingdom is keen on establishing strong and positive relations with the UAE given its stature as an important partner in the Gulf Cooperation Council,” he went on to say.

“On Yemen, there are differences in visions. The UAE has now decided to leave Yemen and I think if that indeed is the case and the UAE has completely left the issue of Yemen, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will take responsibility,” he added.

“I think that will be the building block for making sure that the relationship with the UAE continues strong and continues to serve the interests not just of both countries but the region,” stressed Prince Faisal.


Saudi Arabia, Poland Sign Agreement on Mutual Visa Exemption for Holders of Diplomatic, Service and Special Passports

The agreement aims to enhance shared interests resulting from the visa exemption, in accordance with the laws and regulations in force in both countries - SPA
The agreement aims to enhance shared interests resulting from the visa exemption, in accordance with the laws and regulations in force in both countries - SPA
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Saudi Arabia, Poland Sign Agreement on Mutual Visa Exemption for Holders of Diplomatic, Service and Special Passports

The agreement aims to enhance shared interests resulting from the visa exemption, in accordance with the laws and regulations in force in both countries - SPA
The agreement aims to enhance shared interests resulting from the visa exemption, in accordance with the laws and regulations in force in both countries - SPA

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah met in Warsaw Monday with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland Radosław Sikorski, during Prince Faisal bin Farhan’s official visit to Poland.

During the meeting, the two sides reviewed relations between the two countries and discussed ways to enhance and develop cooperation across various fields, SPA reported.

They also exchanged views on political developments, a number of issues of mutual interest, and efforts aimed at strengthening regional and international security and stability.

Following the meeting, the two sides signed an agreement between the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Government of the Republic of Poland on the mutual exemption from visa requirements for holders of diplomatic, service, and special passports.

The agreement aims to enhance shared interests resulting from the visa exemption, in accordance with the laws and regulations in force in both countries.