European Parliament
President. –
I should like to welcome the delegation from the Assembly of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, chaired by Mr Zaid bin Al-Muhsin Al-Hussein. The importance we attach to this visit, which is the first to the Chamber of the European Parliament since 1995, should be emphasised.
Applause)
This visit comes at a very significant moment, especially in view of the fact that Saudi Arabia will be holding its first local elections in February 2005. This visit constitutes a new stage in the deepening of relations between the Saudi people and the European Union.

