By KUNA,
Brussels : Two top European Union officials are scheduled to visit the Gulf region this week to hold talks in the aim of deepening cooperation and relations between the 27-member European bloc and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. The President of the European Parliament, Hans-Gert P?ttering, is visiting Qatar Sunday at the invitation of Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Hamad Bin Jassim Bin Jabr Al-Thani.
On his first ever visit to a GCC state; Poettering will meet the Amir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani and the Prime Minister to discuss issues of bilateral cooperation between the European Union, Qatar and the GCC.
The two sides will also discuss the role that Qatar plays in the stability of the Gulf region and in the Middle East’s peace process, including the role of Qatar in the Arab Quartet, as well as the promotion of intercultural dialogue, according to an EP statement.
EU Commissioner for External Relations and Neighborhood Policy, Benita Ferrero-Waldner, begins an official visit to Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Qatar on Monday to explore the scope of further engagement with the Gulf region. During her three-day visit, the Commissioner will discuss areas of common interest such as the relations between the EU and the GCC, the situation in the broader region and how to support mutual understanding, and closer cooperation in areas such as education, environment and research. Strengthening energy cooperation between the EU and Gulf countries will also be high on the agenda, noted a European Commission statement. “The importance of the Gulf region for the EU is evident in all areas including economic and trade relations and of course also foreign policy and energy.
The fields of common interests are growing constantly. It is time for us to be more ambitious about our relations, to the advantage of our countries and citizens,” said Ferrero-Waldner in press statements.