JEDDAH, 2 July — Saudi Arabia and Spain have agreed to boost military cooperation in the fields of technology and training.
The agreement came during a meeting here between Prince Sultan, second deputy premier and minister of defense and aviation, and his Spanish counterpart Federico Trillo.
Prince Sultan later told reporters that the two sides decided to send working delegations to see the developments in both countries over the past years. He said the government will take a decision on bolstering military cooperation with Spain in the light of proposals to be made by the Saudi delegation. Trillo on his part welcomed the decision to exchange military experts.
During a 30-minute meeting here yesterday with Prince Abdullah, the regent, the visiting minister handed him an invitation from Spain’s King Juan Carlos to visit the European country.
Trillo confirmed Spain’s support for a Saudi peace initiative which offers normal Arab ties with Israel in return for a total Israeli withdrawal from Arab territories.
Trillo said his country believed the elected leader of the Palestinian people should be respected. “It is necessary to make reforms for a future Palestinian state,” sources from the Spanish delegation quoted Trillo as saying.
US President George W. Bush called last week on the Palestinian people to change their leader, Yasser Arafat, if they wanted to see an independent Palestinian state within three years.
Earlier, Prince Sultan highlighted the 40-year-long and strong relations between the Kingdom and Spain.
“We appreciate Spain’s stand in support of Arab issues and Saudi viewpoints,” the prince said.
Trillo underscored the historic Saudi-Spanish ties, saying “we are not just the friends of Arabs but we are part Arabs.”
