Members of the EU’s Political and Security Committee (PSC), including the PSC Chair, Ambassador Delphine Pronk, as well as Ambassadors of EU Member States, paid the first-ever  official visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on 24 – 26 November 2024. The delegation was accompanied by the EEAS Managing Director for MENA, Ms Hélène Le Gal, and EU Special Representative for the Gulf, Mr Luigi Di Maio.

The PSC members exchanged with Saudi interlocutors on matters of mutual interest and the need to increase joint efforts to tackle global challenges. This included the situation in Israel, Gaza and Lebanon, Gulf security, Russian aggression against Ukraine, and maritime security in the Red Sea region. The PSC members and Saudi interlocutors also agreed on their shared commitment to multilateralism.

During the visit, the PSC members met with theDeputy Speaker of the Shura Council, Dr. Mishaal bin Fahm Al-Sulami, Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed Al Khuraiji, and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel Al Jubeir. The PSC members also visited the Etidal Global Center for Combating Extremist Ideology and Al Nahda, a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering women.

The visit constituted a strong step forward towards further strengthening of the EU partnership with KSA and the Gulf region, following the successful first-ever EU-GCC Summit in Brussels on 16 October 2024.