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DRAFT REPORT (2025/2082(INI))

On the relations between the EU and Saudi Arabia

AFET-PR-775425

Committee on Foreign Affairs · Rapporteur: Hana Jalloul Muro

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Written by a language model from the full text only; every figure comes from the text. The paragraph links open the paragraph a statement rests on — check the text itself before relying on it.

This draft report on EU-Saudi Arabia relations welcomes the partnership and calls for deeper cooperation in security, trade, energy, and human rights, while supporting Saudi reforms and regional roles.

Committee position. The rapporteur proposes a constructive roadmap for deepening EU-Saudi cooperation, supporting Saudi reforms and regional roles, while encouraging human rights progress and finalising a Strategic Partnership Agreement.

Key points

  1. Highlights the positive EU-Gulf Cooperation Council engagement and affirms the aim to boost bilateral ties through Strategic Partnership Agreements, addressing the lack of a legally binding framework.
  2. Welcomes Saudi Arabia's diplomatic role in Gaza, Syria, Lebanon, Yemen, Red Sea, and Sudan, and calls for stronger foreign and security cooperation.
  3. Calls on Saudi Arabia to continue counterterrorism cooperation and acknowledges its efforts on de-escalation, humanitarian assistance, and ceasefire in Gaza.
  4. Commends Saudi engagement on Syria and Lebanon, supporting reconstruction, UNSCR 1701, Lebanese Armed Forces, and Hezbollah disarmament.
  5. Recognizes Saudi Arabia's constructive approach with Iran, shared stance against Iranian proxies, and commitment to peace in Yemen.
  6. Welcomes progress on Houthi disarmament timelines from Riyadh talks, contingent on Saudi economic assistance, and stresses maritime security in the Red Sea.
  7. Welcomes Saudi Arabia's hosting of Ukraine ceasefire talks and notes its USD 600 billion investment commitment to the United States.
  8. Welcomes Vision 2030 reforms, calls for renewable energy and green hydrogen collaboration, and notes progress on youth unemployment and female empowerment.
  9. Calls for closer human rights cooperation, acknowledges social reforms and civil society growth, and supports human rights and labour reforms ahead of EXPO 2030 and FIFA World Cup 2034.
  10. Reaffirms commitment to work towards abolition of the death penalty and calls on Saudi Arabia to ratify all relevant international human rights conventions.

Who is affected

  • Saudi Arabia: subject to calls for continued reforms, human rights progress, and cooperation in security and energy.
  • EU institutions: called to pursue Strategic Partnership Agreements and visa-free travel with GCC countries.
  • Migrant workers in Saudi Arabia: benefit from improved Kafala system and calls for strengthened cooperation on rights.

Figures and deadlines

  • Youth unemployment lowered from 35.01 % in 2006 to 16 % by 2023.
  • Female workforce participation risen to 36 %.
  • Over 5 400 registered civil society associations and organisations.
  • USD 600 billion commitment to invest in the United States.

Legal basis: Articles 205-222 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union