Riyadh, May 08 , SPA -- Prince Saud Al-Faisal, The Minister of Foreign Affairs opened today at Riyadh Intercontinental Hotel, the deliberations of the 17th GCC-EU Council and Ministerial Meeting. Addressing the meeting, Prince Saud said that Europe and Gulf Countries are attached with deep-rooted historic ties , distinct political relations and expanded mutual economical interests. He said "There is a constant progress - it took very long time though - in improving cooperation between GCC and Europe since the signing of cooperation agreement in 1988. "Our meeting today is an extension of previous joint meetings in the framework of implementing the objectives of the joint council and accomplishing the goals of cooperation agreement between the two sides". "This meeting comes at very critical regional and international circumstances which call for achieving qualitative changes and joint cooperation in pursuing the interests of citizens and the countries," Prince Saud added.--MORE www.spa.gov.sa/447847