Italy, GCC Sign MoU to Bolster Cooperation

Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi and Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani at the MoU signing ceremony. (GCC)
Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi and Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani at the MoU signing ceremony. (GCC)
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Italy, GCC Sign MoU to Bolster Cooperation

Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi and Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani at the MoU signing ceremony. (GCC)
Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi and Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani at the MoU signing ceremony. (GCC)

Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi and Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani signed in Rome on Monday a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that aims to bolster cooperation and coordination frameworks between them.

The MoU also expands partnership areas across several sectors of common interest, helping in supporting political dialogue, exchanging expertise, and developing joint action mechanisms.

"Relations between the GCC member states and Italy are witnessing continuous development across various fields, driven by their close ties and mutual interests," said Albudaiwi.

He added that both sides are keen on elevating ties toward broader horizons to serve common interests and boost security, stability, and development.

The GCC and Italian officials hold talks in Rome on Monday. (GCC)

They hoped that the MoU would lead to opening new horizons for cooperation and cementing communication and coordination between them to achieve their common aspirations for further cooperation and prosperity.

Earlier, Albudaiwi and Tajani held talks on GCC-Italy relations and proposals and initiatives aimed at boosting economic ties and the growth of trade and investment exchange.

They also discussed the latest regional and international developments.

They stressed the importance of promoting dialogue and coordination, as well as backing efforts aimed at consolidating security and stability.

Albudaiwi expressed his gratitude for Italy's stance in support of the GCC member states and its condemnation of the Iranian attacks that targeted Gulf countries during the recent conflict.

Italy’s position reflects its commitment to consolidating the existing partnership between the two sides, he remarked.



Saudi, Romanian Defense Ministers Discuss Regional and International Developments

 Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi, Romanian Defense Ministers Discuss Regional and International Developments

 Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz held on Tuesday a phone call with his Romanian counterpart Stefan Radu Oprea.

At the outset of the call, Prince Khalid congratulated the Romanian minister on his appointment as the minister of national defense.

The ministers reviewed the existing military and defense cooperation between their countries and ways to strengthen and further develop it. They also discussed the latest regional and international developments.


Saudi Arabia Reiterates its Commitment to Defending its Sovereignty Against Any Threat

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chairs the Cabinet meeting in Riyadh. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chairs the Cabinet meeting in Riyadh. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Reiterates its Commitment to Defending its Sovereignty Against Any Threat

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chairs the Cabinet meeting in Riyadh. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chairs the Cabinet meeting in Riyadh. (SPA)

The Saudi government reiterated on Tuesday the Kingdom's unwavering commitment to defending its sovereignty and responding firmly to any threat or aggression targeting its security or the safety of its citizens and residents.

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chaired the Cabinet meeting that was held in Riyadh.

The Crown Prince briefed the Cabinet on the two messages addressed to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and the Crown Prince from King of Malaysia Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar, as well as the message the Crown Prince sent to China’s President Xi Jinping.

He also briefed the Cabinet on his phone calls with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, Romanian President Nicușor Dan, and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, and the outcomes of his reception of Jordan’s Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II.

The Cabinet reviewed international developments and Saudi Arabia's ongoing diplomatic efforts, in coordination with brotherly and friendly nations, to consolidate the region's security, safeguard stability, and sustain development and prosperity for its peoples.

The Cabinet reviewed the outcomes of the Kingdom's participation in meetings held under the auspices of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the G20, as part of its efforts to support multilateral action aimed at strengthening mechanisms for joint cooperation across various fields, serving mutual interests and benefits, and contributing to effective and sustainable solutions to current global challenges, particularly those related to maritime navigation security, energy, food security, global trade, and supply chains.

The Cabinet reaffirmed the Kingdom's rejection of all violations that threaten the security and safety of maritime navigation and global energy supplies, stressing the importance of urgent action by the international community to ensure maritime security, safeguard the flow of international trade, and enforce international law in this regard.

The Cabinet stressed that, despite the region's challenges, the Kingdom has continued to reliably supply energy to global markets, supported by long-term investments in infrastructure, storage facilities, and supply chains, as well as an ecosystem capable of responding to changing circumstances with the highest levels of technical and operational capability. These efforts have contributed to strengthening global energy security and the resilience of supply networks.


Coalition Says Drone Intercepted and Destroyed in Makkah Region

Official Spokesperson of the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen Major General Turki Al-Malki. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Official Spokesperson of the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen Major General Turki Al-Malki. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Coalition Says Drone Intercepted and Destroyed in Makkah Region

Official Spokesperson of the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen Major General Turki Al-Malki. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Official Spokesperson of the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen Major General Turki Al-Malki. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Official Spokesperson of the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen Major General Turki Al-Malki said on Tuesday that a drone was intercepted and destroyed in the Makkah Region.

On Monday, the Coalition said two drones were intercepted and destroyed in the Riyadh Region.

Al-Malki added that air defenses intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile launched by the terrorist Houthi militia toward the southern region.