RIYADH, 24 February 2004 — Saudi Arabia and Italy have agreed to cooperate in the health sector following talks between Crown Prince Abdullah, deputy premier and commander of the National Guard, and Italian Minister of Health Gerolamo Sirchia here Sunday.
The talks followed wide-ranging discussions between Saudi Health Minister Dr. Hamad Al-Manie and his Italian counterpart during the previous two days. “We have mapped out a plan of cooperation in the health sector,” Sirchia told reporters.
He also conveyed the greetings of Italian President Carlo Ciampi and Premier Silvio Berlusconi to the crown prince.
A spokeswoman of the Italian Embassy said: “Riyadh and Rome have agreed to forge closer cooperation in the fields of organ transplants, bone marrow transplantation, genetic diseases, oncology, diabetes and training of medical personnel and others.”
A technical committee is to meet shortly to promote the medical cooperation project.
