JEDDAH, 6 September 2003 — Crown Prince Abdullah, deputy premier and commander of the National Guard, yesterday called for a peaceful solution to the Chechnya problem but described the crisis as an internal matter for Russia.
“We look forward to a settlement of the protracted Chechen issue through peaceful and constitutional means within the framework of the Russian Federation,” the crown prince told the Russian Interfax news agency. Crown Prince Abdullah, who concluded his landmark three-day visit to Moscow on Thursday, highlighted the significance of Saudi-Russian oil cooperation to preserving international oil market stability.
“My visit to Russia was primarily aimed at further enhancing bilateral cooperation in various spheres and discussing international and regional issues of mutual concern,” the crown prince said.
“Saudi Arabia views Russia as a partner and not as a competitor in the area of oil,” he said. The two countries signed a major agreement for cooperation in the oil and gas sectors during the royal visit.
The crown prince also lambasted the campaign by parts of the US media against Saudi Arabia following the Sept. 11 events, and said the smear campaign was based on “unjustified and groundless” allegations.
He said the Kingdom was going ahead with its war on terror, adopting comprehensive measures to stamp out terrorism. He urged greater international cooperation in combating terrorism and drying up sources of terrorist funding.
Crown Prince Abdullah declared himself optimistic that the commercial partnership between Saudi Arabia and Russia would be bolstered by technology transfer, increasing investment and joint projects.
He had praise for Russian support for the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, and said it had positively contributed to oil market stability. “As regards Russia’s admission to OPEC, it is up to Russia to make a decision in this respect if that is in its interest,” he added.
“There is coordination between OPEC and Russia,” he said and commended Moscow’s efforts in support of OPEC initiatives to achieve fair prices.
The crown prince said he hoped that Saudi-Russian joint ventures would cooperate in the fields of petroleum and gas as well as scientific research.
A number of Russian companies, along with other international firms, have taken part in a forum organized by the Saudi Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources on investment prospects in the Kingdom’s gas and energy sectors.
