On Tuesday 16 December, MEPs called for cooperation with Saudi Arabia to be strengthened (see EUROPE 13703/17).
They adopted (417 votes in favour, 131 against, and 108 abstentions) the report by Hana Jalloul Muro (S&D, Spanish), in which MEPs highlight the potential for closer cooperation with this country in areas such as foreign and security policy, justice and law enforcement, trade and investment, and even energy and climate. They also support opening negotiations on a strategic partnership with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The European Parliament reiterates that cooperation must be based on a shared commitment to respect international law, specifically human rights law, international humanitarian law, and the United Nations Charter. The MEPs reiterate that human rights and fundamental freedoms remain at the centre of relations between Saudi Arabia and the EU.
See the report: https://aeur.eu/f/k19 (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)