MUKALLA, 2 June 2006 — Saudi Arabia and Yemen will sign an agreement on the final demarcation of the border between the two countries in a joint session of the Saudi-Yemeni Coordination Council that began at the Republican Palace in the scenic city of Mukalla in Yemen last night. The session is expected to end tomorrow.
In his presidential address to the first meeting of the 17th session, Crown Prince Sultan, deputy premier and minister of defense and aviation, said “this session will end with the signing of the final maps of the border between the two countries which is tantamount to the translation of the political will of both countries into reality.”
Sultan and Yemeni Premier Abdul Qader Bajammal jointly presided over the opening session.
The crown prince appreciated the efforts of Saudi Interior Minister Prince Naif and his Yemeni counterpart Interior Minister and Deputy Premier Rashad Al-Olaimi in achieving this. He hoped that this would lead to greater cooperation in fighting the twin menace of terrorism and drug smuggling.
Prince Sultan referred in his speech to other important agreements to be signed in the current session. They were in the areas of economic and social development such as industries, education and culture.
“In this regard I call on the private sector of both countries to make the maximum effort in achieving the desired level of perfection,” said Sultan.
The prince underscored the need for unity and harmony among Arabs and Muslims in order to counter serious challenges facing them in the region, such as the situation in Palestine and Iraq.
In his welcome address, Prime Minister Bajammal stressed the importance of Saudi cooperation for the economic and social development and security of Yemen.
“We feel that our partnership with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in implementing the strategically significant projects is crucial. This is particularly witnessed in the area of building roads, with special mention to the Imran-Aden Road, in the gas-based electric power generating sector. and in education and health care, in addition to infrastructure development including building sea ports and airports and enhancing water supply.”
The prime minister also assured Saudi investors of most favored status in the country.
Earlier, Crown Prince Sultan and Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh emphasized the significance of the session in strengthening the cooperation between the two countries at a reception hosted by the president at his palace.
Crown Prince Sultan and his accompanying delegation landed at the Al-Rayan Airport in Mukalla in the afternoon.
He was welcomed at the airport by the prime minister and deputy premier and Interior Minister Al-Olaimi.
The high-power Saudi delegation included Interior Minister Prince Naif, Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal and Mutlab Al-Nafisa, state minister, Commerce and Industry Minister Hashim Yamani, Finance Minister Ibrahim Al-Assaf, Agriculture Minister Fahd Balghonaim, Social Affairs Minister Abdul Mohsen Al-Akkas and adviser at the Royal Court Muhammad Al-Hodaithy.
