Brussels, The first round of dialogue between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the European Union (EU) on human rights was held at the headquarters of the European Commission in Brussels, it was reported today.

The Saudi delegation was headed by President of the Human Rights Commission (HRC) Dr. Awwad bin Saleh Al-Awwad with the participation of Saudi Ambassador to the EU Saad Al-Arify and specialists from the Foreign Ministry and HRC.

The EU side was headed by Representative of the EU for Human Rights Eamon Gilmore in the presence of several EU officials and ambassadors and representatives of 22 EU countries.

At the beginning of the session, which took place yesterday, Gilmore welcomed the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s human rights reforms and holding this dialogue, referring to the importance of the event in forming a new platform for establishing an open dialogue on human rights issues, noting that the EU considers the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia a main strategic partner.

For his part, Al-Awwad reviewed reforms the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has realized in human rights within a short period of time, noting that the top factors that contributed to achieving these reforms included having a political will represented by the directives of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, stressing that this will aspires to make the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia a model in all fields.

Al-Arify also welcomed holding the session and praised the efforts exerted by the two sides, expressing hope that this dialogue will support the solid relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and EU.

The two sides realized the reforms taken in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia under several human rights categories that covered freedom of opinion and expression, forming associations, women’s rights, rule of law, religious freedom, right to work, and means of cooperation between the two sides under the umbrella of the UN.

Source: Saudi Press Agency