RIYADH, 28 February 2005 — Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd and Crown Prince Abdullah held talks here yesterday with visiting German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder on major international issues including Iraq and Palestine. The two sides also explored ways of strengthening relations.

Later Riyadh Governor Prince Salman and Schroeder jointly inaugurated an exhibition titled “75 Years of Saudi-German Relations” at the King Abdul Aziz Historical Center here highlighting the “excellent” bilateral ties.

“This exhibition presents a documentation of the long-standing friendly relationship between the two countries,” Prince Salman said during a reception in honor of Schroeder and his delegation.

“Saudi Arabia is keen to activate and implement trade agreements and treaties signed with Germany, which is one of the leading trading partners of the Kingdom,” Prince Salman said. Germany is Saudi Arabia’s third largest trading partner after the United States and Japan. Schroeder, who is heading a big delegation including top German businessmen, said the friendship treaty, which was signed 75 years ago in Cairo, affirmed that the two countries would work for peace.

“I believe that we have both fulfilled this requirement over the past 75 years even though the world had been at war many times and had witnessed troubles. This successful and exemplary cooperation should be an additional motive for both countries to step forward toward developing their relations for the prosperity of our nations,” he said.

“We currently cooperate in fighting terrorism, and we wish to develop our collaboration in this area. We would like to work together in the scientific and technological fields also,” the chancellor said, adding that he was also keen on promoting a student exchange program between the two countries.

Schroeder will address today a meeting at the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry, which is being organized in cooperation with the German Embassy here.

According to sources, political discussions with the Saudi leadership were likely to address issues related to reformation of the United Nations and expansion of the Security Council. Germany is one of four countries seeking permanent membership. The others are Japan, India and Brazil.

Schroeder is expected to reaffirm his country’s support to Saudi Arabia’s accession to the World Trade Organization.