20/03/2023
Today, 20 March 2023, the College of Europe organised in Brussels the Launching Event and Steering Committee of the third phase of the EU-funded project “El-Hiwar III: Training and Information Course on Euro-Arab Relations”.
The Launching Event brought together participants from the project stakeholders: EU staff (DG NEAR, EEAS), the League of Arab States (LAS Secretariat, LAS Mission in Brussels) and ECLASLO (European Commission – League of Arab States Liaison Office), with a special focus on those involved in the EU-LAS working groups. It was an opportunity to discuss how the changing international and regional contexts are impacting on Euro-Arab relations, to share common approaches on issues of mutual interest among all relevant actors, and to further promote ongoing cooperation.
The opening of the Launching Ceremony was presented by:
- Hélène Le Gal, Managing Director Middle East and North Africa (MENA), European External Action Service
- Rania Aurag, Director European Affairs Department, League of Arab State
- Ingrid Schwaiger, Deputy Head of Unit, Directorate-General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations, European Commission
The three speakers highlighted the value of the El-Hiwar project, not only due to the new opportunities for cooperation between the EU and the LAS that this new phase offers, but also because of the great work accomplished in the project’s previous phases.
The Steering Committee gathered key project stakeholders to identify priority thematic areas and activities that contribute to achieving the project's expected results. The session was successful in pre-setting the Annual Work Programme, establishing a stable framework of tentative activities resulting from a consultation process initiated at the beginning of the project.
