Top EU official's visit aims to boost Gulf ties

Manama: Benita Ferrero-Waldner, European Commissioner for External Relations and Neighbourhood Policy, will visit Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Qatar this week as part of a three-day tour in the Gulf to explore the scope of further engagement with the region, diplomatic sources told Gulf News.

"During her meetings, the commissioner will discuss areas of common interest such as the relations between EU and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), the situation in the broader region and how to support mutual understanding, and closer cooperation in areas such as education, environment and research," the sources said.

Strengthening energy cooperation between the EU and Gulf countries will also be high on the agenda.