EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell and Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan are co-chairing the talks. Reuters
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell and Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan are co-chairing the talks. Reuters
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell and Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan are co-chairing the talks. Reuters
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell and Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan are co-chairing the talks. Reuters

GCC and EU seek stronger ties at high-level talks


Jamie Prentis
  • English
  • Arabic

Senior EU and GCC officials have held talks in Brussels focused on deepening relationships between the blocs in a number of fields, including climate change, energy and security.

EU's foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell, speaking in the Belgium capital ahead of the 26th EU-GCC ministerial meeting, highlighted the extensive economic links between the two regions. He also insisted that the EU “has to engage more” with the GCC.

“Our relationship has to be enhanced, and I think this is a good moment to do so. This is going to be the first step for a stronger and deeper relationship,” Mr Borrell said.

A post-summit joint statement said ministers had stressed the importance of joint action on climate change, protecting the environment and developing renewable energies. They also congratulated the UAE for its planned hosting of the UN climate conference Cop28 next year.

Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan co-chaired the talks with Mr Borrell.

“We have a strong relationship, especially on the economic side, but it’s important we continue these high-level consultations,” Prince Faisal said.

“We will, I’m sure, be talking about regional security, international peace. But also the agenda that is most important, which is international co-operation vis-a-vis climate change, energy security, but also just deepening the strong bonds and ties between our two collective blocs.”

The GCC and EU are also seeking to enhance relations on education, health and cybersecurity.

Mr Borrell said the EU was looking to appoint a special envoy for the Gulf, in part because of security issues and Iran.

“Not just because of energy, but because in this region the transition towards a green economy will be one of the most important aspects for us, for them, for the humankind,” he said.

The Bio

Name: Lynn Davison

Profession: History teacher at Al Yasmina Academy, Abu Dhabi

Children: She has one son, Casey, 28

Hometown: Pontefract, West Yorkshire in the UK

Favourite book: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

Favourite Author: CJ Sansom

Favourite holiday destination: Bali

Favourite food: A Sunday roast

Know your camel milk:
Flavour: Similar to goat’s milk, although less pungent. Vaguely sweet with a subtle, salty aftertaste.
Texture: Smooth and creamy, with a slightly thinner consistency than cow’s milk.
Use it: In your morning coffee, to add flavour to homemade ice cream and milk-heavy desserts, smoothies, spiced camel-milk hot chocolate.
Goes well with: chocolate and caramel, saffron, cardamom and cloves. Also works well with honey and dates.

Company info

Company name: Entrupy 

Co-founders: Vidyuth Srinivasan, co-founder/chief executive, Ashlesh Sharma, co-founder/chief technology officer, Lakshmi Subramanian, co-founder/chief scientist

Based: New York, New York

Sector/About: Entrupy is a hardware-enabled SaaS company whose mission is to protect businesses, borders and consumers from transactions involving counterfeit goods.  

Initial investment/Investors: Entrupy secured a $2.6m Series A funding round in 2017. The round was led by Tokyo-based Digital Garage and Daiwa Securities Group's jointly established venture arm, DG Lab Fund I Investment Limited Partnership, along with Zach Coelius. 

Total customers: Entrupy’s customers include hundreds of secondary resellers, marketplaces and other retail organisations around the world. They are also testing with shipping companies as well as customs agencies to stop fake items from reaching the market in the first place. 

The specs

Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8

Transmission: seven-speed

Power: 720hp

Torque: 770Nm

Price: Dh1,100,000

On sale: now

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Timeline

2012-2015

The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East

May 2017

The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts

September 2021

Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act

October 2021

Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence 

December 2024

Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group

May 2025

The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan

July 2025

The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan

August 2025

Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision

October 2025

Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange

November 2025

180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE

How to protect yourself when air quality drops

Install an air filter in your home.

Close your windows and turn on the AC.

Shower or bath after being outside.

Wear a face mask.

Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.

If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.

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Updated: February 21, 2022, 5:18 PM