19/12/2008 (Agence Europe) - Hans-Gert Pöttering, President of the European Parliament, is making an official visit to the Gulf region from 20-23 December 2008. He will go to Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. The key topics of the visit are: the relationship between the Gulf States and the European Union; political, trade and energy cooperation; the peace process in the Middle East; regional stability; the role of the Gulf States in international organisations such as the Arab League and their interaction with the Union for the Mediterranean, as well as issues of religion and tolerance in the context of intercultural dialogue. (O.J./transl.jl)