Brussels (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – MEP Danilo Della Valle criticizes Italian PM Giorgia Meloni including other European leaders for engaging with Saudi Crown Prince MBS despite crimes.
Gulf leaders including Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman seated with EU heads of state and government in Brussels on 16 Oct 2024 for a summit sought to avert a “general conflagration” in the Middle East region. The European Union is aiming to work more closely with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) which brings together Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE in addressing disputes in both the Middle East and Ukraine.
What concerns does Valle raise about Saudi Prince MBS?
MEP Danilo Della Valle from the 5 Star Movement, expressed in a note that Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni was set to participate in the EU-Gulf Countries summit in Brussels. He hoped that she would avoid shaking hands with Mohammed bin Salman. MEP highlighted that the Saudi prince was accused of serious crimes, including being implicated in the 2018 murder and dismemberment of journalist Khashoggi at the Istanbul embassy.
United States intelligence agencies revealed that Jamal Khashoggi was killed by a Saudi hit squad working under the authority of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. An unclassified US intelligence report unleashed confirmed the role top US intelligence officials believe Saudi Arabia’s de facto ruler played in the 2018 killing of the Saudi journalist.
What message does Valle believe European leaders are sending?
Moreover, Danilo Della Valle stated that the willingness of European leaders to meet with bloodthirsty dictators without hesitation sends a negative message to European citizens and the international community. He remarked that there is no protest when local politicians, like Renzi, engage in business with such figures. However, he emphasized that respect for fundamental rights and European values should never be negotiable.
