Delegation for relations with the Arab Peninsula. MINUTES of the meeting of 9 October 2017, Brussels

Transcription

1 European Parliament Delegation for relations with the Arab Peninsula DARP_PV(2017)1009_1 MINUTES of the meeting of 9 October 2017, Brussels The meeting opened at on Monday, 9 October 2017, with Michèle Alliot-Marie (Chair) presiding. 1. Adoption of draft agenda (PE ) The draft agenda was adopted. 2. Approval of minutes of meeting of 24 April 2017 (PE ) The minutes were adopted without modifications. 3. Chair s announcements The DARP Chair welcomed the members of the Parliamentary Friendship Committee (PFC) of the Shura Council of Saudi Arabia and the rest of the attendants. The meeting would give the opportunity for an extensive and open exchange of views on bilateral relations, in an array of fields and in the context of current international and regional challenges. Mrs Alliot-Marie mentioned that the presence of the Saudi delegation had an additional symbolic meaning, as it signified the mutual desire to build upon the current state of play of relations and advance interparliamentary cooperation. She further highlighted that international and regional stability depend largely on a unified Arab Peninsula and, as such, the need for a prompt and sustainable solution to the current crisis is urgent. On that, she reiterated that the EU is more than willing to facilitate a mediation process but will abstain from any direct engagement. Ms. Alliot-Marie congratulated the Saudi delegation for the recent adoption of legislation allowing women to drive. PV\ EN.docx PE v01-00 EN United in diversity EN

2 4. Exchange of views with the Members of the Saudi Parliamentary Friendship Committee on the state of play of relations between the European Union and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia within the framework of the current international political and security challenges Taking the floor, H.E Dr Al Saud conveyed the greetings of the President of the Shura Council and thanked Ms. Alliot-Marie for her warm welcome. He stressed that the meeting was being held in a spirit of mutual trust within the framework of inter-parliamentary dialogue with the EU. Within this modernization process, he contended that a series of laws have been modified - for instance the adoption of legislation allowing women to drive, thus making space for social rights and allowing for the freedom of religion and expression. He mentioned Saudi Arabia s prominent role in the fight against terrorism, as well as the fact that Iran has been a destabilizing factor for the region due to its support for terrorist groups. In regards to the Yemeni crisis, he stated that, in full respect with the UNSC resolution 2216, the Kingdom has undertaken a major humanitarian role in terms of healthcare, education and refugee integration. With reference to the diplomatic isolation of Qatar, H.E Dr Al Saud insisted that Qatar has been long ago providing support to minority groups within the Saudi territory. As for the Syrian war, he emphasized the need for a global solution, while on the Israel-Palestine conflict he called for an independent Palestine and condemned Israel s settlement policy. On a final note, H.E Dr. Al Saud reiterated the importance of dialogue and cooperation in international relations and concluded his speech by mentioning some aspects of Saudi Arabia s Vision In the ensuing discussion, the members of DARP raised questions upon the respect of human rights in Saudi Arabia, as well as on the role of the Kingdom in the various regional crises. On the first matter, a number of speakers expressed their concern on the matter of social and individual rights, arguing that there is still plenty of room for improvement with regards to gender equality. Moreover, questions were raised concerning the freedom of religion in the Kingdom and, in particular, on whether non-islamic communities can freely practice their faith in Saudi Arabia. DARP members re-affirmed the significance of the EU-Saudi Arabia cooperation in the fight against terrorism and asked how liaising and information exchange could be further institutionalised in the long term. Particular attention was also payed to the role of religious authorities when it comes to the radicalization of youth across the region and elsewhere. With regard to the crisis in Yemen, DARP members asked his opinion on what could be done in order for the international community to better respond to the immense loss of civilians. When it comes to Qatar, DARP members inquired what has been cause of the diplomatic crisis from the Saudi point of view and, ultimately, called for reconciliatory policies. Dr Al Saud stressed that Saudi Arabia has undertaken a prominent role in the Palestinian issue. Besides, he assured the members of DARP that the Saudi-led coalition s bombing campaign is targeting solely rebel militia sites, while he directed their attention to the rebel s practice of recruiting children. Concerning Qatar, he asserted that Saudi Arabia has no territorial intention and it had been only after numerous warnings that radical measures were taken. He added that Saudi Arabia has set up a centre to monitor and combat the spread of extremist ideology. Furthermore, he explained that unlike what is presented by the international media, Saudi Arabia has taken serious steps forward in relation to female emancipation, while the recently adopted law allows women to work without male guardianship. He concluded by clarifying that there is no need for specific places where non-muslim people can exercise their beliefs in Saudi EN PE v /7 PV\ EN.docx

3 Arabia, as the people in question are either temporary workers or tourists. 5. Any other business None 6. Date and place of next meeting The next meeting will take place in Brussels on 6 November The meeting closed at N PV\ EN.docx 3/7 PE v01-00 E

4 ПРИСЪСТВЕН ЛИСТ/LISTA DE ASISTENCIA/PREZENČNÍ LISTINA/DELTAGERLISTE/ ANWESENHEITSLISTE/KOHALOLIJATE NIMEKIRI/ΚΑΤΑΣΤΑΣΗ ΠΑΡΟΝΤΩΝ/RECORD OF ATTENDANCE/ LISTE DE PRÉSENCE/POPIS NAZOČNIH/ELENCO DI PRESENZA/APMEKLĒJUMU REĢISTRS/DALYVIŲ SĄRAŠAS/ JELENLÉTI ÍV/REĠISTRU TA' ATTENDENZA/PRESENTIELIJST/LISTA OBECNOŚCI/LISTA DE PRESENÇAS/ LISTĂ DE PREZENŢĂ/PREZENČNÁ LISTINA/SEZNAM NAVZOČIH/LÄSNÄOLOLISTA/DELTAGARLISTA Бюро/Mesa/Předsednictvo/Formandskabet/Vorstand/Juhatus/Προεδρείο/Bureau/Predsjedništvo/Ufficio di presidenza/prezidijs/ Biuras/Elnökség/Prezydium/Birou/Predsedníctvo/Predsedstvo/Puheenjohtajisto/Presidiet (*) Michèle Alliot-Marie Членове/Diputados/Poslanci/Medlemmer/Mitglieder/Parlamendiliikmed/Μέλη/Members/Députés/Zastupnici/Deputati/Deputāti/Nariai/ Képviselõk/Membri/Leden/Posłowie/Deputados/Deputaţi/Jäsenet/Ledamöter Mario Borghezio, Barbara Kappel, Wajid Khan, Michel Reimon, Ángela Vallina Заместници/Suplentes/Náhradníci/Stedfortrædere/Stellvertreter/Asendusliikmed/Αναπληρωτές/Substitutes/Suppléants/Zamjenici/ Supplenti/Aizstājēji/Pavaduojantysnariai/Póttagok/Sostituti/Plaatsvervangers/Zastępcy/Membros suplentes/supleanţi/náhradníci/ Namestniki/Varajäsenet/Suppleanter 200 (2) Lars Adaktusson, Amjad Bashir 206 (3) 53 (8) (Точка от дневния ред/punto del orden del día/bod pořadu jednání (OJ)/Punkt på dagsordenen/tagesordnungspunkt/ Päevakorra punkt/ημερήσια Διάταξη Σημείο/Agenda item/point OJ/Točka dnevnog reda/punto all'ordine del giorno/darba kārtības punkts/darbotvarkės punktas/napirendi pont/punt Aġenda/Agendapunt/Punkt porządku dziennego/ponto OD/Punct de pe ordinea de zi/bod programu schôdze/točka UL/Esityslistan kohta/föredragningslista punkt) EN PE v /7 PV\ EN.docx

5 Наблюдатели/Observadores/Pozorovatelé/Observatører/Beobachter/Vaatlejad/Παρατηρητές/Observers/Observateurs/Promatrači/ Osservatori/Novērotāji/Stebėtojai/Megfigyelők/Osservaturi/Waarnemers/Obserwatorzy/Observadores/Observatori/Pozorovatelia/ Opazovalci/Tarkkailijat/Observatörer По покана на председателя/por invitación del presidente/na pozvání předsedy/efter indbydelse fra formanden/auf Einladung des Vorsitzenden/Esimehe kutsel/με πρόσκληση του Προέδρου/At the invitation of the Chair(wo)man/Sur l'invitation du président/ Na poziv predsjednika/su invito del presidente/pēc priekšsēdētāja uzaicinājuma/pirmininkui pakvietus/az elnök meghívására/ Fuq stedina taċ-'chairman'/op uitnodiging van de voorzitter/na zaproszenie Przewodniczącego/A convite do Presidente/La invitaţia preşedintelui/na pozvanie predsedu/na povabilo predsednika/puheenjohtajan kutsusta/på ordförandens inbjudan Prince Dr Khaled Abdullah Al Saud Dr Hanan Abdulraheem Alahmadi Gen. Abdulhadi Mohamad Alamri Mrs Kowther Musa Alarbash Dr Mohamed Mahdi Alkhunaizi Dr Musaed Abdullah Alfurayyan H.E. Dr Naif Hashal Alrumi Съвет/Consejo/Rada/Rådet/Rat/Nõukogu/Συμβούλιο/Council/Conseil/Vijeće/Consiglio/Padome/Taryba/Tanács/Kunsill/Raad/ Conselho/Consiliu/Svet/Neuvosto/Rådet (*) Комисия/Comisión/Komise/Kommissionen/Kommission/Euroopa Komisjon/Επιτροπή/Commission/Komisija/Commissione/Bizottság/ Kummissjoni/Commissie/Komisja/Comissão/Comisie/Komisia/Komissio/Kommissionen (*) Европейска служба за външна дейност/servicio Europeo de Acción Exterior/Evropská služba pro vnější činnost/ EU-Udenrigstjenesten/Europäischer Auswärtiger Dienst/Euroopa välisteenistus/ευρωπαϊκή Υπηρεσία Εξωτερικής Δράσης/European External Action service/service européen pour l'action extérieure/europska služba za vanjsko djelovanje/servizio europeo per l azione esterna/eiropas Ārējās darbības dienests/europos išorės veiksmų tarnyba/európai Külügyi Szolgálat/Servizz Ewropew għall-azzjoni Esterna/Europese dienst voor extern optreden/europejska Służba Działań Zewnętrznych/Serviço Europeu para a Acção Externa/ Serviciul european pentru acţiune externă/európska služba pre vonkajšiu činnosť/evropska služba za zunanje delovanje/euroopan ulkosuhdehallinto/europeiska avdelningen för yttre åtgärd (*) Susanna Roson Други институции/otras instituciones/ostatní orgány a instituce/andre institutioner/andere Organe/Muud institutsioonid/ Άλλα θεσμικά όργανα/other institutions/autres institutions/druge institucije/altre istituzioni/citas iestādes/kitos institucijos/ Más intézmények/istituzzjonijiet oħra/andere instellingen/inne instytucje/outras Instituições/Alte instituţii/iné inštitúcie/muut toimielimet/andra institutioner/organ N PV\ EN.docx 5/7 PE v01-00 E

6 Други участници/otros participantes/ostatní účastníci/endvidere deltog/andere Teilnehmer/Muud osalejad/επίσης Παρόντες/Other participants/autres participants/drugi sudionici/altri partecipanti/citi klātesošie/kiti dalyviai/más résztvevők/parteċipanti ohra/andere aanwezigen/inni uczestnicy/outros participantes/alţi participanţi/iní účastníci/drugi udeleženci/muut osallistujat/övriga deltagare H.E. Mr Jasem Albudawi, Ambassador of Kuwait H.E. Mr Mustapha Mohamed, Ambassador of Yemen Michal Weiler-Tal, embassy of Israel Ahlam Al Mofhli, embassy of Yemen Mohamed Ayaz, embassy of Saudi Arabia Ghada Hafiz, embassy of Saudi Arabia Shaina Najem, embassy of Bahrain Saeed Saeed, embassy of Bahrain Faisal Mohammad, councellor Ghanem Althba, Qatar embassy Fahad Alfadhli, Kuwait embassy Sultan Alkhalifah, embassy of Saudi Arabia Секретариат на политическите групи/secretaría de los Grupos políticos/sekretariát politických skupin/gruppernes sekretariat/ Sekretariat der Fraktionen/Fraktsioonide sekretariaat/γραμματεία των Πολιτικών Ομάδων/Secretariats of political groups/secrétariat des groupes politiques/tajništva klubova zastupnika/segreteria gruppi politici/politisko grupu sekretariāts/frakcijų sekretoriai/ Képviselőcsoportok titkársága/segretarjat gruppi politiċi/fractiesecretariaten/sekretariat Grup Politycznych/Secr. dos grupos políticos/secretariate grupuri politice/sekretariát politických skupín/sekretariat političnih skupin/poliittisten ryhmien sihteeristöt/ Gruppernas sekretariat PPE S&D ECR ALDE Verts/ALE GUE/NGL EFDD ENF NI Gabor Török Alessia Cova Elise Coolegem, Richard King Itziar Munoa Raphael Fisera Dietmar Holzfeind Кабинет на председателя/gabinete del Presidente/Kancelář předsedy/formandens Kabinet/Kabinett des Präsidenten/Presidendi kantselei/γραφείο Προέδρου/President's Office/Cabinet du Président/Ured predsjednika/gabinetto del Presidente/Priekšsēdētāja kabinets/pirmininko kabinetas/elnöki hivatal/kabinett tal-president/kabinet van de Voorzitter/Gabinet Przewodniczącego/Gabinete do Presidente/Cabinet Preşedinte/Kancelária predsedu/urad predsednika/puhemiehen kabinetti/talmannens kansli Кабинет на генералния секретар/gabinete del Secretario General/Kancelář generálního tajemníka/generalsekretærens Kabinet/ Kabinett des Generalsekretärs/Peasekretäri büroo/γραφείο Γενικού Γραμματέα/Secretary-General's Office/Cabinet du Secrétaire général/ured glavnog tajnika/gabinetto del Segretario generale/ģenerālsekretāra kabinets/generalinio sekretoriaus kabinetas/ Főtitkári hivatal/kabinett tas-segretarju Ġenerali/Kabinet van de secretaris-generaal/gabinet Sekretarza Generalnego/Gabinete do Secretário-Geral/Cabinet Secretar General/Kancelária generálneho tajomníka/urad generalnega sekretarja/pääsihteerin kabinetti/ Generalsekreterarens kansli EN PE v /7 PV\ EN.docx

7 Генерална дирекция/dirección General/Generální ředitelství/generaldirektorat/generaldirektion/peadirektoraat/γενική Διεύθυνση/ Directorate-General/Direction générale/glavna uprava/direzione generale/ģenerāldirektorāts/generalinis direktoratas/főigazgatóság/ Direttorat Ġenerali/Directoraten-generaal/Dyrekcja Generalna/Direcção-Geral/Direcţii Generale/Generálne riaditeľstvo/generalni direktorat/pääosasto/generaldirektorat DG PRES DG IPOL DG EXPO DG EPRS DG COMM DG PERS DG INLO DG TRAD DG INTE DG FINS DG ITEC DG SAFE Fançois Massoulié, Perla Srour-Gandon, Kirsten Jongberg, Kristel Molema, Florence Bouyala-Imbert, Martina Wenske Правна служба/servicio Jurídico/Právní služba/juridisk Tjeneste/Juristischer Dienst/Õigusteenistus/Νομική Υπηρεσία/Legal Service/ Service juridique/pravna služba/servizio giuridico/juridiskais dienests/teisės tarnyba/jogi szolgálat/servizz legali/juridische Dienst/ Wydział prawny/serviço Jurídico/Serviciu Juridic/Právny servis/oikeudellinen yksikkö/rättstjänsten Секретариат на комисията/secretaría de la comisión/sekretariát výboru/udvalgssekretariatet/ausschusssekretariat/komisjoni sekretariaat/γραμματεία επιτροπής/committee secretariat/secrétariat de la commission/tajništvo odbora/segreteria della commissione/ Komitejas sekretariāts/komiteto sekretoriatas/a bizottság titkársága/segretarjat tal-kumitat/commissiesecretariaat/sekretariat komisji/ Secretariado da comissão/secretariat comisie/sekretariat odbora/valiokunnan sihteeristö/utskottssekretariatet Aneta Popescu-Black Сътрудник/Asistente/Asistent/Assistent/Assistenz/Βοηθός/Assistant/Assistente/Palīgs/Padėjėjas/Asszisztens/Asystent/Pomočnik/ Avustaja/Assistenter Nicole Devos * (P) = Председател/Presidente/Předseda/Formand/Vorsitzender/Esimees/Πρόεδρος/Chair(wo)man/Président/Predsjednik/Priekšsēdētājs/ Pirmininkas/Elnök/'Chairman'/Voorzitter/Przewodniczący/Preşedinte/Predseda/Predsednik/Puheenjohtaja/Ordförande (VP) = Заместник-председател/Vicepresidente/Místopředseda/Næstformand/Stellvertretender Vorsitzender/Aseesimees/Αντιπρόεδρος/ Vice-Chair(wo)man/Potpredsjednik/Vice-Président/Potpredsjednik/Priekšsēdētāja vietnieks/pirmininko pavaduotojas/alelnök/ Viċi 'Chairman'/Ondervoorzitter/Wiceprzewodniczący/Vice-Presidente/Vicepreşedinte/Podpredseda/Podpredsednik/ Varapuheenjohtaja/Vice ordförande (M) = Член/Miembro/Člen/Medlem./Mitglied/Parlamendiliige/Μέλος/Member/Membre/Član/Membro/Deputāts/Narys/Képviselő/ Membru/Lid/Członek/Membro/Membru/Člen/Poslanec/Jäsen/Ledamot (F) = Длъжностно лице/funcionario/úředník/tjenestemand/beamter/ametnik/υπάλληλος/official/fonctionnaire/dužnosnik/ Funzionario/Ierēdnis/Pareigūnas/Tisztviselő/Uffiċjal/Ambtenaar/Urzędnik/Funcionário/Funcţionar/Úradník/Uradnik/Virkamies/ Tjänsteman N PV\ EN.docx 7/7 PE v01-00 E