Prof. Xiaojie Xu – Director of Institute of Overseas Investment at the China National Petroleum Corporation’s Research Academy of Economics and Technology in Beijing, and the Chief Professor of the Institute of Geopolitics and Energy Economics, East China Normal University in Shanghai – discussed ways of economically and strategically improving GCC-China relations.
Dr. Radhiya Yahya Al-Hashimi, director of Environmental Center for Arab Towns, signed a memorandum of understanding with the GRC to further the concept of sustainable development in the Gulf region.
Mr. Khaled Al-Maeena, Editor-in-Chief of Saudi-based ‘Arab News’, a leading newspaper of the Middle East, held talks on promoting the concept of research in the region using media tools and devising programs to train Gulf journalists in energy, security and finance issues.
An Indian delegation comprising of Indian Navy officers headed by the Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Sureesh Mehta, and accompanied by Consul-General of India Venu Rajamony held discussions on the Gulf and Indian security environment as well as Indian Navy capabilities.
1- The Netherlands Ambassador, David P.M. de Waal, Michiel den Hond, Ambassador at Large, and Mr. John Bisschop, Director of the North Africa and Middle East Division in the Dutch Foreign Ministry.
2- The Managing Director of Japan Institute of Overseas Investment, Yutaka Yamada, and Sumiko Teranaka, Senior Analyst, Research and Analysis Department, discussed issues related to Iran’s political, economic and security dimensions.
A five-member German Parliament (Bundestag) delegation, accompanying Chancellor Angela Merkel on her Middle East tour, discussed issues related to Iran, as well as the role of Germany and Europe in the Gulf. The delegation comprised of Eckart von Klaeden, MdB and Foreign Policy Spokesperson for the Christian Democratic Union/Christian Social Union Parliamentary Group; Niels Annen, MdB and Member of the Executive Board of the Social Democratic Party; Werner Hoyer, MdB, Member of the Foreign Affairs Committee and Spokesperson on Foreign Affairs for the Free Democratic Party Parliamentary Group; Marieluise Beck, MdB, Member of the Foreign Affairs Committee representing the Green Party; and Monika Knoche, MdB, Member of the Foreign Affairs Committee and Deputy Chairwoman of the Left Party parliamentary group.
