According to a statement by the GCC mission, al-Attiyah expressed his appreciation and gratitude for Ferrero-Waldner’s efforts to promote and develop EU-Gulf ties during her five-year tenure as EU Commissioner for external relations, especially regarding the progress on negotiations for a free-trade agreement.
On her part, Ferrero-Waldner thanked ambassador al-Hamad for the letter of the GCC Secretary General and stressed her interest in the region and its issues and voiced her hope that EU-GCC ties will be consolidated and become stronger in the future.
Ferrero-Waldner’s term as EU Commissioner ends this week when a new European Commission team is expected to be endorsed by the European Parliament by next week.
Catherine Ashton is now the new EU foreign policy chief and also a Vice-President of the European Commission.
