RIYADH, 21 March 2006 — Austrian President Heinz Fischer left the Kingdom yesterday after completing a three-day official visit to the country.
Before his departure, the president met with Shoura Council President Saleh Bin-Humaid on ways to boost relations between the Austrian Parliament and the Kingdom’s consultative body.
Fischer briefly attended one of the Shoura sessions and listened in to the introductions made by its members.
In a press briefing following the meeting, Fischer said Saudi Arabia and Austria enjoyed good relations in several areas. He thanked Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah for the Kingdom’s “warm hospitality” during his visit. Fischer said himself being a parliamentarian in the past he had always wanted to visit the Shoura Council and look at its activities.
“The president was the head of the Austrian Parliament for 12 years. He also worked in the Parliament for 33 years. He has always been interested in visiting the Shoura Council,” said Austrian Ambassador Friedrich Stift.
Asked about the discussions held between him and the Shoura president, Fischer said the discussions focused on the situation of Muslims in Austria and student-exchange programs between the two countries.
Bin-Humaid welcomed the president and his visiting delegation.
“The visit comes on the heels of support given to the Shoura by the Saudi leadership to enhance its role and widen its jurisdictions,” he said.
He mentioned that former Shoura President Ibrahim Al-Jubeir had met with Fischer in 1999 while he was head of his country’s Parliament.
The Austrian president later visited the Prince Sultan City for Humanitarian Services. Prince Faisal ibn Sultan, secretary-general of the city, and Majed Al-Qasabi, general manager, welcomed the president and his delegation on his arrival.
The president watched a documentary on the city’s history and achievements. He also toured the premises of the city with its officials and viewed its many facilities.
Following the tour, an agreement was signed between the Austrian Minister of Health and Women’s Affairs, Maria Rauch-Kallat, and Prince Faisal ibn Sultan on exchange personnel and expertise in the medical field.
Meanwhile, a 45-member Austrian business delegation visited the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA) yesterday to look at opportunities of investment in the Kingdom. According to Amjed Shaker, SAGIA’s general manager of corporate communications, the delegation was briefed on the Kingdom’s investment strategies and the initiatives undertaken by SAGIA to enhance investment opportunities in the Kingdom.
