Latest news with #SPAs
Leaders
4 days ago
- Business
- Leaders
GCC, EU to Start Talks on Strategic Partnership Agreements
The European Commission and the High Representative have welcomed the European Council's decision that authorizes the launch of negotiations with each of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries – Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE – aimed at reaching bilateral Strategic Partnership Agreements (SPAs). According to a statement released by the European Commission, the SPAs aim to pave the way for an ambitious, comprehensive and effective framework for bilateral cooperation, designed to meet the shared priorities and objectives of the EU and each respective GCC country. The initiative aligns with the efforts of the EU to strengthen relations with GCC countries, in line with the 2022 Joint Communication on a Strategic Partnership with the Gulf and the October 2024 GCC-EU Summit in Brussels. The SPAs underscore the EU's commitment to boosting engagement and consolidating partnerships with the GCC countries, building on the existing GCC–EU cooperation frameworks, including ongoing regional and bilateral negotiations on Free Trade Agreements. The negotiation frameworks cover a broad range of topics, including foreign policy, security, justice and law enforcement, trade and investment, energy and climate, digital transformation, environment, connectivity, education, research and innovation, culture, and enhanced people-to-people exchanges. The EU views the SPAs as a turning point in its ties with the GCC countries, which enable them to address common challenges, and leverage joint opportunities across the Middle East. Negotiations will start soon, with the order and pace determined according to the GCC partner country's interest. On this occasion, the EU Foreign Policy Chief, Kaja Kallas, said: 'There is huge untapped potential in the EU's relationship with the Gulf region.' She added that the SPAs will bring many mutual benefits across a wide range of priority areas. 'We are beginning a new era of enhanced EU-Gulf cooperation,' she said. Short link : Post Views: 73
Saudi Gazette
5 days ago
- Business
- Saudi Gazette
EU launches talks with GCC countries for bilateral strategic agreements
BRUSSELS — The European Commission and the High Representative have welcomed the European Council's decision to authorize the opening of bilateral negotiations with each of the six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries — Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman — with the aim of concluding Strategic Partnership Agreements (SPAs). The proposed SPAs are designed to establish modern, ambitious, and comprehensive frameworks for cooperation, tailored to the EU's shared priorities with each GCC partner. The move follows the 2022 Joint Communication on a Strategic Partnership with the Gulf and builds on momentum from the October 2024 EU–GCC Summit in Brussels. The agreements are set to cover a broad range of sectors, including foreign policy, security, justice, trade and investment, climate and energy, digital transformation, education, culture, and enhanced people-to-people engagement. Brussels described the SPAs as a strategic shift in EU-Gulf relations, positioning them to address mutual challenges and unlock shared opportunities across the rapidly evolving Middle East region. Negotiations are expected to begin soon, with the order and pace determined by each GCC country's level of EU emphasized that these new SPAs will complement existing regional and bilateral cooperation frameworks, including Free Trade Agreement talks already underway. — SG
Al Etihad
6 days ago
- Business
- Al Etihad
European Commission welcomes adoption of EU mandate to launch negotiations with GCC countries
19 July 2025 00:56 BRUSSELS (WAM)The European Commission and the High Representative welcomed the European Council's decision authorising them to enter into negotiations with each of the six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries - Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates - ith the aim of concluding bilateral Strategic Partnership Agreements (SPAs).The aim of the SPAs is to provide for an ambitious, modern, comprehensive and effective framework for bilateral cooperation tailored to the shared priorities and objectives of the EU and each respective GCC is in line with the efforts to enhance our relations with GCC partners set out in the 2022 Joint Communication on a Strategic Partnership with the Gulf and the October 2024 EU–GCC Summit in negotiation frameworks cover a wide range of topics, including foreign and security policy, justice and law enforcement, trade and investment, energy and climate, digital transformation, environment, connectivity, education, research and innovation, culture, and enhanced people-to-people SPAs will mark a turning point in the relations with Gulf partners, being truly strategic partnerships, addressing common challenges and harnessing joint opportunities across the rapidly evolving Middle East will start as soon as possible. The order and pace of negotiations will follow the expression of interest from the side of the partners.''There is huge untapped potential in the EU's relationship with the Gulf region. As of today, we will negotiate bilateral Strategic Partnership Agreements with the six Gulf partners. These should bring many mutual benefits across a wide range of priority areas, from increasing economic diversification to jointly tackling security challenges, and working together on digitalisation and connectivity. "We are beginning a new era of enhanced EU-Gulf cooperation," said Kaja Kallas, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European to Maroš Šefčovič, Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security; Interinstitutional Relations and Transparency, the Strategic Partnership Agreements with the GCC countries will provide a major boost to our trade and investment relations, creating new opportunities for businesses, enhancing market access, and promoting economic growth. We can unlock the full potential of our economic partnership and strengthen our position as a global trading Šuica, Commissioner for the Mediterranean said: ''Our partnership with the GCC partners is built on mutual respect and shared objectives. Through the Strategic Partnership Agreements, we aim to take our cooperation to the next level. We are deepening and widening our bilateral relations in a wide array of areas putting always people at the center. "These partnerships will also allow for strengthening our cooperation at regional level to build peace and promote stability and prosperity in the broader Middle East.''
Yahoo
20-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Leviathan Gold to acquire 100% interest in Botswanian copper and uranium assets
Leviathan Gold has signed a non-binding letter of intent (LoI) with Cura Exploration Botswana to acquire a 100% interest in a significant copper and uranium exploration portfolio in Botswana. This move comes through the acquisition of all issued and outstanding securities of Privco, which holds the prospecting licences in the region. Privco is currently party to share purchase agreements (SPA) for the purchase of all shares of the AfriMetals Entities, which possess the Central Project land package adjacent to MMG's Khoemacau deposits. These deposits boast substantial mineral resources and were acquired by MMG for $1.9bn (A$2.93bn) in 2023. The AfriMetals Entities also hold a comprehensive portfolio of uranium prospecting licences in Botswana. The Serule Uranium Project is located next to the Letlhakane Uranium Project, which Lotus Resources acquired in 2023. Recent drilling at Serule has indicated a mineralised zone more than 4km wide. Under the proposed terms, Leviathan Gold will issue 35,000,000 common shares and 5,500,000 share purchase warrants in exchange for Privco shares and warrants. The company will also assume the obligation to pay milestone payments to the sellers, potentially issuing up to an additional 16,500,000 Leviathan Shares. The proposed transaction is subject to the completion of due diligence within 60 days from the LoI and the finalisation of a definitive agreement. If completed, Privco's former shareholders would own approximately 35% of Leviathan Gold, or 38.5% if all warrants are exercised. The transaction is expected to be executed through a "three-cornered" amalgamation with a wholly owned subsidiary of Leviathan and is subject to restrictions and policies of the TSX Venture Exchange. Leviathan Gold president and CEO Luke Norman said: 'The proposed acquisition by Leviathan of Privco would result in Leviathan adding to its portfolio of mineral assets the highly strategic and yet under-explored Central Project directly adjoining MMG's world-class Khoemacau 'Cluster' of copper deposits on the Kalahari Copper Belt – with which Central appears to share important geophysical, structural and stratigraphic indicators – places Leviathan in pole position to make a major copper discovery in mining-friendly Botswana.' Under the terms of the SPAs, Privco must fulfil financial obligations that include not only the milestone payments but also a total cash payment of $2.2m. To date, Privco has already paid $390,000.01 of this amount to the sellers. Furthermore, Privco has spent C$93,000 on the creation of technical reports in compliance with National Instrument 43-101, which sets the disclosure standards for mineral project reporting, concerning the properties in question. "Leviathan Gold to acquire 100% interest in Botswanian copper and uranium assets" was originally created and published by Mining Technology, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Irish Independent
05-06-2025
- General
- Irish Independent
‘The level of red tape is unbelievable' – anger as EU rules on birds derail 50-metre path in Malahide
The path, for which funding was provided by Fingal County Council in 2023, was to connect the Seabury housing estate to the sports club and a nearby pre-school. It would have provided a short active travel alternative to the current route, which involves driving nearly 2 kilometres to access the sporting facility. But at yesterday's Fingal County Council meeting of the Howth/Malahide Area Committee, Therese Casey, Executive Parks and Landscape Officer at Fingal County Council, said the path was being held up by EU rules on protecting bird habitat. Reading from a council statement, she said: 'The proposed site for the walkway development is an important feeding site for several bird species associated with the Malahide Estuary Special Protection Area (SPA)'. The Malahide Estuary SPA contains internationally important populations of Light-bellied Brent Geese and Black-tailed Godwits, among other species. An appropriate assessment screening taken over the winter months found that significant impacts to the site 'cannot be excluded beyond a reasonable scientific doubt', according to the council. 'Therefore, a Stage 2 Natura impact assessment and appropriate mitigation is required should this project proceed.' Any council project requiring this check needs to be submitted to An Bord Pleanála (ABP), the council statement added. "The council is legally obliged to safeguard these feeding sites for migratory birds associated with SPAs under the EU Birds Directive. 'Developing a pathway in a key feeding site that is likely to cause ongoing disturbance conflicts with that legal requirement and poses a significant hurdle for obtaining planning permission for this project from ABP.' ADVERTISEMENT Learn more Fianna Fáil councillor Eoghan O'Brien said he was 'really disappointed' by the statement. Locals already access the rugby club via this route, but the existing surface is unsuitable for those with mobility issues and after wet weather, he said. 'I don't have the measurements, but we're talking about roughly 30 to 50 metres of some sort of safe surface. I'm not even talking about going in with a concrete path,' he said. Cathal Haughey, another local councillor, said he was 'shocked' by the response. 'If we went back to the rugby club with that, I don't know how you'd keep a straight face … the level of red tape is unbelievable,' he said. 'It sounds like it's not going to happen now, which just seems outrageous … it goes against everything that the council is trying to do regarding active travel.' He said it would be helpful for the topic to be brought back up in a future session, so councillors could 'get our heads around it more'. Ms Coffey said she understood the frustration of the elected members and rugby club, but that her 'hands were tied' in relation to this, as the legislation on protecting birds is clear. She proposed a meeting between councillors and the council's biodiversity team in the coming weeks to work out a compromise.
