JEDDAH, 16 June — Saudi Arabia and Yemen yesterday signed a series of accords to strengthen political and economic cooperation. They also inked two loan deals to finance technical institutes and road projects in Yemen.
The agreements were signed on the sidelines of a meeting of the Saudi-Yemeni Coordination Council, which called for bolstering economic and investment cooperation between the two Arab neighbors.
Prince Sultan, second deputy premier and minister of defense and aviation, who chaired the Saudi side at the meeting, highlighted the strong and historic ties between the two Islamic countries.
“Our countries have proved that their special ties will always lead them to agreement on all matters, realizing the interests of both states,” the prince said in his welcome speech. The council meeting saw the signing of eight agreements including the accords in the areas of cultural, sports and youth welfare; postal service; land and marine transportation; wildlife development; and coordination between the two foreign ministries.
Prince Sultan said Yemeni expatriate workers will receive the same treatment as given to other Arab expatriates in the Kingdom, adding that they will be subjected to the labor law. He said there are prospects for signing new economic accords with Yemen especially in areas of free trade zone and investment promotion and protection.
Yemeni Prime Minister Abdul Qader Bajammal, who presided over the Yemeni side, underscored the significance of the council’s meeting in promoting Saudi-Yemeni ties.
“The meeting offers a good opportunity to strengthen cooperation in all areas,” the Saudi Press Agency quoted Bajammal as telling the meeting.
Saudi Arabia and Yemen signed a historic border treaty on June 12, 2000, ending a six-decades-long dispute and opening a new chapter in relations.
The two countries signed a contract worth $986 million with German firm Hansa Luftbild to stake out their common border in detail.
Bajammal, who came at the head of a high-level delegation, later handed a message from President Ali Abdullah Saleh to Prince Abdullah, the regent.
The Yemeni premier spoke on the vast investment opportunities in his country and his government’s plan to carry out infrastructure projects especially in the areas of health, water, electricity and education.
“There are investment opportunities especially in oil and gas sectors and downstream industries as well as in tourism, telecommunications, energy, transportation, agriculture and fisheries,” he said.
