JEDDAH, 28 June 2006 — Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov yesterday received in Moscow Riyadh Governor Prince Salman, who is on a state visit to the Russian republic.
Fradkov highlighted the strong relations enjoyed between Russia and Saudi Arabia while Prince Salman conveyed greetings from Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah and the Crown Prince Sultan, deputy premier and minister of defense and aviation.
Prince Salman is also expected to meet President Vladimir Putin during his visit, which political circles say is a significant one, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
“Prince Salman’s program includes, among other things, meeting the Russian President and the Mayor of Moscow Yuri Luzhkov,” said the Saudi Ambassador to Moscow Muhammad Hassan Adbul Wali.
On his arrival at Moscow’s main airport, the deputy mayor of Moscow, the Russian deputy chief of foreign relations and the Russian adviser for foreign affairs received Prince Salman, who was accompanied by Prince Faisal Bin Salman, chairman of the Saudi Research and Publishing Group, and Ambassador Hassan Wali.
The Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud described Saudi-Russian relations as strategically important and said that the relationship served the common interests of both countries including the stand taken by Saudi Arabia and Russia on various areas particularly in the field of energy. The ambassador highlighted the keenness of both sides to keep oil prices steady in such a way that the interests of both consumers and suppliers are protected and the prices do not adversely impact the international economy.
The Riyadh governor is also expected to discuss several joint projects with Russian officials and businessmen in addition to investments and ways to explore avenues of cooperation between the two countries.
The prince is also scheduled to meet the president and members of the council of Saudi-Russian Business Council.
Prince Salman is accompanied by a number of dignitaries including Prince Muhammad ibn Salman, Prince Turki ibn Salman, Prince Khaled ibn Salman, Prince Naif ibn Salman, Riyadh Mayor Abdul Aziz ibn Ayyaf and Abdul Rahman Al-Jeraisy, the chairman the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
