Foreign Affairs Committee MEPs in Saudi Arabia

In Riyadh, MEPs discussed regional and global developments, exploring ways to enhance EU-Saudi cooperation.

A delegation from the European Parliament, headed by the Chair of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, David McAllister (EPP, Germany), undertook a visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from 14-15 April 2025.

During their visit to Riyadh, MEPs met with the Saudi Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and climate envoy Adel Al Jubeir, and members of the Saudi Shura Council, represented by Hanane Al-Ahmadi, Assistant-Speaker of the Shura Council, as well as the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Abdulrahman Al-Harbi. MEPs also met with the Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Jasem Albudaiwi, and the Head of the Presidential Leadership Council of Yemen, Rashad Al Alimi.

The visit focused on the need for stabilisation in the Middle East, continued cooperation regarding Ukraine, and the value of exploring avenues to enhance EU-Saudi cooperation on global foreign and security issues. With their counterparts, MEPs discussed ways to strengthen the EU-Saudi strategic partnership as well as with the Gulf Cooperation Council, including on reinforcing the dimension of parliamentary cooperation.

The visit to Riyadh comes at a highly relevant moment. In an unprecedented move, the Kingdom has recently increased its presence on the global stage by hosting international negotiations between the United States and Russia and between the United States and Ukraine towards a ceasefire in Ukraine. While recognising the Kingdom’s diplomatic efforts, MEPs welcomed Riyadh’s increased role as a regional broker, particularly in the context of the conflict in Israel and Gaza, the support of the two-state solution, as well as recent developments in Syria, Lebanon, Yemen, the Red Sea, and Sudan. In the discussions on the Middle East, both MEPs and their Saudi counterparts emphasised the importance of stabilisation of the region, Saudi-Iran relations, and supporting Syria during its rebuilding process. Detailed attention was also given to the situation in Syria, Lebanon, and Yemen, particularly acknowledging the wider geopolitical implications of the Houthis' strikes in the Red Sea. Therefore, MEPs welcomed the recent indirect talks between the United States and Iran in Oman, hoping they will pave the way for stability in the region.

The MEPs reiterated the importance of strengthening the EU-Saudi strategic partnership, as the European Union is the Kingdom’s second-largest trading partner and first foreign direct investor. Members exchanged with the Saudi leadership on ways to enhance further cooperation in various fields, including security, energy security, hydrogen, green transition, digital, trade, and investments.

During discussions on internal developments, MEPs welcomed the Kingdom’s ambitious Vision 2030 plans and the socio-economic reforms undertaken. They expressed their support for the Kingdom’s drive towards a total socio-economic transformation. MEPs recognised the challenges tied to the plans and reaffirmed the EU’s willingness to support Saudi Arabia in its pursuit of socio-economic reforms.

MEPs welcomed the dialogue on human rights during a meeting with the Chairwoman of the Committee on Human Rights Hala Al Tuwaijiri, emphasising the importance of adhering to international standards, particularly labour standards for migrant construction workers in the context of Saudi Arabia hosting the World Expo in 2030 and the 2034 World Cup. Members welcomed the improvement of legal and judicial systems in the Kingdom and progress in women empowerment, family law, and the kefala system. They encouraged the Kingdom to continue with this progress and expressed their willingness to enhance further cooperation.

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The head of the delegation David McAllister stated: “It is a crucial moment for the Committee on Foreign Affairs to visit the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and engage in further dialogue, particularly on Saudi Arabia's growing role as a diplomatic anchor both regionally and globally. There is now momentum to boost the EU-Saudi Arabia strategic partnership!”

Composition of the delegation:

David McAllister (EPP; Germany), chair of the Committee on Foreign Affairs and head of the delegation

Hana Jalloul Muro (S&D, Spain), standing rapporteur for Saudi Arabia

Reinhold Lopatka (EPP, Austria), chair of the Delegation for Relations with the Arab Peninsula

Andrey Kovatchev (EPP, Bulgaria)

Tonino Picula, (S&D, Croatia)

Robert Biedroń (S&D, Poland)

Bernard Guetta (Renew, France)