The European Union is working to forge a broad strategic partnership with Saudi Arabia and accelerate a joint agenda on shared priorities ahead of next year’s Gulf–EU summit, a senior EU official said.
Stefano Sannino, the EU’s director-general for the Middle East, North Africa and the Gulf, told Asharq Al-Awsat that the EU-Gulf strategy emphasizes economic cooperation under current global conditions, particularly in energy.
This is not only about what the Gulf states represent today, but also their future potential in renewable energy and advanced technologies, he said.
On US President Donald Trump’s Gaza plan, Sannino described it as coherent, with very important elements concerning the future of Gaza and its residents, adding that the EU is ready to take its share of responsibility in implementing it.
Sannino stressed the significance of recent Saudi-French initiatives and UN meetings aimed at advancing a two-state solution.
These efforts reflect a shared determination to preserve the two-state framework and the creation of a Palestinian state that can live in peace alongside Israel, he said.
He noted the EU’s continued financial support for Palestinian institutions, highlighting a €1.6 billion aid package approved in April and a €400 million loan agreement signed recently with the Palestinian Authority to support its budget and economy.
Palestinian Authority Reforms
The EU is closely monitoring reforms within the Palestinian Authority, working alongside it to implement a joint reform plan. These reforms are central to enabling the authority’s return to Gaza.
The European Commission president recently proposed a donor group for Palestine to mobilize resources, supporting reform efforts and potentially Gaza reconstruction in the near future, Sannino said.
Economic and Cultural Cooperation with Gulf States
On EU-Gulf cooperation, Sannino emphasized the strategic importance of economic ties, particularly in energy and future technologies like renewables and AI. He also highlighted areas such as trade, investment, education, scientific research, culture, and sports as vital for building new bridges between societies.
Sannino said bilateral free trade talks with individual Gulf states, alongside regional negotiations, are intended to complement each other.
The bilateral track does not replace the regional one; it supports it. Both paths are being pushed to achieve tangible results, he affirmed.
Houthis Designation
Regarding the potential EU designation of Yemen’s Houthi movement as a terrorist group, Sannino ruled out such a step, saying that the issue has been discussed extensively.
According to Sannino, the EU’s assessment is that this action might not change much and could even produce negative consequences, particularly for the Yemeni people, who bear the greatest cost.
This does not mean that the threat the Houthis pose or their impact on regional stability and security is underestimated, said Sannino, adding that the EU continues to support the Yemeni government, cooperate with legitimate authorities, and assist the Yemeni people.
