RIYADH: EU Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Patrick Simonnet recently met Saudi Health Minister Fahad Al-Jalajel to discuss health cooperation and the Kingdom’s efficiency in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic. The meeting dealt with a number of issues related to health cooperation between Saudi Arabia and EU countries, in addition to an examination of the precautionary measures taken by the Kingdom to confront the COVID-19 pandemic. “I congratulated the minister for Saudi Arabia’s continuous efforts in battling the pandemic. Through those efforts Saudi Arabia is now in a position to lift most of its restrictions. The EU is proud to have supported from the beginning the Saudi vaccination campaign through the export of 35 million vaccines up to now. “Both sides are contributors to the COVAX Facility and share common interests when it comes to global health, including the planned pandemic treaty, currently discussed in the World Health Assembly,” Simonnet told Arab News. The ambassador and minister also discussed mutual recognition of vaccination certificates to facilitate travel between the EU and Saudi Arabia, and aid in the recovery of the aviation sector. The envoy tweeted: “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.” After the meeting, Simonnet visited the National Healthcare Command Center and the recently opened SEHA Virtual Hospital.