Saudi Minister, EU envoy hold talks on health ties, cooperation

Riyadh: The European Union's envoy to Saudi Arabia, Patrick Simonnet, has met Saudi's Minister for Health Fahad Al-Jalajel. The duo also talked about many issues regarding cooperation in health between EU countries and Saudi Arabi, along with the measures taken by the Kingdom to fight the Covid-19 pandemic, Arab News reported.

Simonnet told Arab News that he had congratulated the minister for the Kingdom's efforts against the pandemic. As a result, Saudi is now in a position to remove all the restrictions imposed to hamper virus spread. The EU is proud to support the Kingdom's vaccination drive from the beginning itself by exporting 35 million doses to date, he said.

Simonnet further said that both Saudi and EU were contributors to the Covax Facility as well as share common

interests in the case of global health. This includes the tabled pandemic treaty at World Health Assembly.

The attendees discussed mutual recognition of vaccination certificates too in the meeting. This would smoothen travel between the EU and the Kingdom, ultimately reviving the aviation industry.

The EU envoy's tweet read: "Excellent meeting with Minister of Health @FahadAlJalajel on KSA's efficiency in fighting the pandemic, EU exports of vaccines and other cooperation avenues, including mutual recognition of vaccine certificates. Followed by an impressive visit to the #NHCC and Seha Virtual Hospital."

Soimonnet had visited the National Healthcare Command Center and the freshly opened SEHA Virtual Hospital after the meeting.