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SAUDI ARABIA - Diplomacy

Luigi Di Maio

Special Representative for the Gulf region, EU

Bio

Luigi Di Maio, appointed EU Special Representative for the Gulf in June 2023, previously served as Italy’s Foreign Affairs Minister (2019–2022), Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Economic Development, Trade, and Labor (2018–2019). He has chaired key international meetings, including the G20 and MED Dialogue Conference, promoting multilateralism and addressing global crises. Born on July 6, 1986, in Avellino, Italy, Di Maio brings extensive diplomatic experience to his new role.

"The EU’s GCC relations, particularly with Saudi Arabia, are undergoing a transformative phase centered on regeneration and strategic alignment."

Luigi Di Maio, EU Special Representative for the Gulf region, talks to TBY about EU-GCC relations.

What specific initiatives and regulatory adjustments are being prioritized to enhance investment opportunities and dialogue between the GCC region and the EU?

The EU’s GCC relations, particularly with Saudi Arabia, are undergoing a transformative phase centered on regeneration and strategic alignment. In May 2022, the EU endorsed a comprehensive strategy to establish a strategic partnership with GCC nations, formalized through a resolution approved by both the European Parliament and the European Council. This partnership framework is built upon five key pillars: trade and investment; energy cooperation, with a significant focus on renewable energy; regional security, recognizing that sustainable development is unattainable without a secure environment; people-to-people connections, which facilitate exchanges among students, researchers, and entrepreneurs; and institutional partnerships that strengthen intergovernmental cooperation to address shared challenges and opportunities. These pillars not only shape the EU’s relations with the GCC, but also guide its cooperation with Saudi Arabia specifically. A primary objective of this partnership is to usher in a new era of collaboration that is both strategic and goal oriented. For instance, the EU is currently negotiating a memorandum of understanding with Saudi Arabia focused on energy cooperation, with hydrogen as a key area of interest. By 2030, the EU aims to import 10 million tons of hydrogen annually, necessitating dependable partners—a role Saudi Arabia has historically fulfilled in the fossil fuel sector. On the trade and investment front, continuous dialogues aim to enhance the business climate, exemplified by the EU-Saudi Investment Dialogue. This mechanism seeks to identify and amend regulatory obstacles to investment, facilitating smoother transactions. Furthermore, the EU marked a milestone by inaugurating the first European Chamber of Commerce in the Gulf, located in Riyadh, last May. This chamber represents a pivotal step in supporting European businesses to align with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 objectives. Plans are underway to establish similar chambers in other GCC nations to further strengthen this commercial network. In terms of mobility, the people-to-people pillar saw a significant advancement with the implementation of a visa waiver for GCC citizens as of April 2024. While the UAE already benefits from this, the remaining GCC states now have a streamlined five-year visa system, known as the Visa Cascade System. This unified approach aims to ultimately achieve full visa liberalization. The recent EU-GCC summit in Brussels was a historic milestone, bringing together Gulf and EU leaders for the first time. This summit highlighted the vitality and shared ambition of both regions to bridge existing gaps and seize new opportunities. His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman not only attended the summit, but also engaged in open discussions during a dinner with EU leaders, fostering an atmosphere of transparency and collaboration. The summit’s outcomes reflect a positive trajectory not only for bilateral relations but also for multilateralism. The EU and GCC demonstrated alignment on critical global issues, including the situations in Gaza, Lebanon, Iran, the Horn of Africa, the Red Sea, and Ukraine. This alignment signifies a mutual commitment to stability and cooperation on the international stage.

How do you perceive the evolving role of GCC countries, particularly Saudi Arabia, as they shift from being investment recipients to becoming proactive investors? how does this transformation impact the strategic and business relationship between the EU and the Gulf region?

European companies have a strong and visible presence in this region, particularly in the business sector. From senior management to skilled professionals at all levels, European human resources are well represented. The architectural landscape here bears the mark of European talent, with architects playing a pivotal role in shaping these cities. Moreover, the same leading European corporations that contributed to building modern Europe are actively engaged here. However, this is not about competition with other geopolitical or economic players. Instead, it is a response to the urgency of seizing opportunities in this rapidly evolving region. In recent years, the Gulf region has witnessed significant positive growth, prompting us to accelerate collaborative processes rooted in mutual respect and equal partnership. Saudi Arabia and other GCC countries continue to serve as invaluable allies for the European Union, not just economically but also strategically. These nations have consistently played a crucial role in maintaining open communication channels with countries like Afghanistan and Iran, and in facilitating dialogues on complex issues, such as prisoner exchanges and family reunifications related to the situation in Ukraine. Today, we are seeing a shift in their role, which I refer to as the “Cristiano Ronaldo policy.” Historically, Europe has viewed these countries primarily as investors and as attractive destinations for European investments. However, they are now positioning themselves as magnets for foreign investments, similar to their strategy in sports. Just as they once invested in European football clubs and have now started attracting top players to their leagues, they are channeling resources into their own ventures. Understanding this evolving dynamic is essential as these countries transition from investment recipients to investment powerhouses in their own right.

How do you envision the role of cultural exchanges and regulatory frameworks in fostering stronger bilateral cultural relations between Europe and the Gulf?

I am confident that ongoing cultural exchanges and the steady flow of cultural managers from Europe to the Gulf will significantly enhance cultural relations between the regions. I know numerous Europeans are involved in major museum projects across the GCC. I anticipate that cultural ties will expand exponentially in the coming years. This dynamic is more bilateral in nature than strictly EU-GCC or EU-Saudi Arabia. The European Union’s role is to establish a regulatory framework that facilitates these exchanges for our member states. We are doing this across various domains, including hydrogen, renewable energy, investments, and people-to-people initiatives such as universities, schools, and Erasmus Plus. This framework not only strengthens EU-GCC relations, but also promotes closer connections among European countries themselves. By setting up a structured approach to engage with such an important region, we ensure fair competition and foster collaborative growth.

What are the key objectives and expected outcomes of the 2025 Joint Council and Ministerial Meeting that will take place in Kuwait City in 2025?
2025 will be a remarkable year for Kuwait, as it will host a Joint Council and Ministerial Meetings. We have an ambitious project slated to begin in early December 2024 and continue through to December 2025. This initiative involves convening all foreign ministers from the GCC in Kuwait City next year, as outlined in the formal Statement of the Summit. This meeting is set to be a cornerstone in strengthening EU-GCC relations, as it brings together the Ministries of Foreign Affairs from both regions to engage in high-level discussions on key areas of strategic importance. In addition to this diplomatic gathering, we are also looking to host a business forum that aims to foster deeper collaboration between European and GCC businesses and investors. This forum will serve as a platform for sharing insights, exploring joint ventures, and unlocking new economic opportunities that leverage the strengths of both regions. We see this as a critical step in creating more robust, mutually beneficial ties and driving forward investment partnerships that align with the ambitious visions on both sides. One of the biggest challenges we face, however, is adapting to the unprecedented speed of transformation taking place within the GCC. The region is evolving at a rate that has not been witnessed in previous decades, bringing new dynamics and opportunities to the forefront. Both the business and political communities must move beyond a traditional mindset to truly understand and appreciate the implications of these rapid changes. There is still some skepticism regarding the region’s capacity to make such sweeping changes in a short timeframe, but I believe this skepticism will diminish as the results become increasingly visible. Our goal is not only to engage European companies and investors but also to promote a deeper awareness of the strategic shifts underway in the GCC. This business forum, alongside the high-level ministerial meeting, will hopefully bridge gaps in understanding, encourage proactive engagement, and set the stage for a new era of collaboration. Through these efforts, we aim to support a smooth transition as the GCC solidifies its role as a dynamic hub for trade, innovation, and strategic alliances on the global stage.

What are the primary short-term objectives set in your agenda?

A key focus will be the implementation of the memorandum of understanding on energy cooperation, a comprehensive endeavor that spans various dimensions, including both bilateral and multilateral climate cooperation. This initiative is highly significant for us, as it aligns with broader goals for sustainability and energy transition. Additionally, we need to accelerate efforts in developing our Chamber of Commerce, which is still in its foundational phase. Strengthening its role will require building more coordination committees dedicated to advocacy and expanding collaborative efforts leading up to the next EU-GCC summit. The next leaders’ summit is already planned for 2026 in Saudi Arabia, where the Kingdom will host 27 European leaders. Leading up to this, there will be several high-profile multilateral events, such as COP16, where we anticipate substantial participation at the highest levels. Our overarching vision is encapsulated in the concept of a “strategic partnership for peace and prosperity.” The peace element reflects the GCC’s central role in major international peace processes, while prosperity underscores our commitment to advancing economic cooperation and ensuring security in crucial areas like the Red Sea, a vital corridor for global trade and navigation essential to many businesses.

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