The Saudi delegation, led by Assistant Minister of Interior Dr. Hisham Al-Faleh, participated in the Ministerial Conference of the European Union (EU) and Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries held in Lisbon. The conference aimed to establish a regional political dialogue to enhance security cooperation between the EU and MENA countries.
Dr. Al-Faleh attended the conference on behalf of Minister of Interior Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif. Portuguese Minister of Home Affairs Maria Lúcia Amaral inaugurated the event, which brought together ministers from Arab and European countries, as well as representatives of international organizations.
Strengthening Regional Security Cooperation
Dr. Hisham emphasized the significance of strengthening regional cooperation between the EU and MENA countries in his address. The Kingdom is looking forward to exchanging ideas and future visions through this conference, according to the ministry. He highlighted the importance of achieving security coordination and integration, enhancing international cooperation to combat organized crime, and developing law-enforcement agencies.
The conference focused on joint security issues and explored new security models to address evolving threats. Participants discussed ways to strengthen security cooperation and examined mechanisms for joint coordination and the exchange of information and expertise to meet regional and international challenges.
Combating Organized Crime
Dr. Hisham noted that crime in all its forms poses major challenges, underscoring the need to reinforce international partnership and cooperation to confront these challenges. The conference provided a platform for exchanging successful experiences in preventive measures, the ministry said. Enhancing international cooperation is crucial in combating organized crime, which requires a coordinated effort from law-enforcement agencies across the region.
According to the ministry, the conference reviewed the current state of security cooperation between the EU and MENA countries. Participants identified areas for improvement and discussed potential strategies for enhancing collaboration. The exchange of information and expertise is critical in addressing the complex security challenges faced by the region.
Future Cooperation
However, the path forward is not without its challenges. The conference highlighted the need for continued cooperation and coordination between the EU and MENA countries. Meanwhile, the Saudi delegation expressed its commitment to working with international partners to address regional security concerns.
The next steps in the EU-MENA security cooperation process are expected to be discussed in future meetings. The outcomes of the Lisbon conference will likely inform these discussions. A follow-up meeting is anticipated to take place in the coming months, where the progress made so far will be assessed, and further actions will be planned.
