JEDDAH, 12 February 2007 — Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah yesterday emphasized the importance of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to the Kingdom and said it would strengthen Saudi-Russian relations in all fields.
In an interview with ITAR-Tass news agency’s First Deputy Director General Mikhail Gusman, the king said there are good prospects for cooperation between the world’s major oil producing and exporting countries, especially in energy, investment, science and technology.
Putin arrived in Riyadh last night at the head of a high-level delegation and was accorded a red carpet welcome by King Abdullah, Crown Prince Sultan and top civilian and military officials including Riyadh Gov. Prince Salman and Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal. He was also given a 21-gun salute.
Putin is the first Russian president to visit the Kingdom after the two countries established diplomatic relations 80 years ago. The landmark visit is expected to witness the signing of three major agreements and two memorandums of understanding.
“We welcome President Putin to the Kingdom. This visit is a good opportunity to discuss a large number of topics related to strengthening bilateral ties in all areas, the situation in the region and global challenges and developments,” the king said in the interview.
Asked when Saudi women would start driving in the Kingdom’s streets like their Gulf counterparts, King Abdullah said a decision on the issue must come from Saudi society. “The state’s duty is to provide a conducive atmosphere for any decision society deems suitable and that conforms with Shariah,” he explained.
Abdullah highlighted the tremendous progress made by Saudi women in higher education and their role in the developmental process as engineers, doctors, teachers, and businesswomen.
Speaking about Saudi-Russian relations, the king said, “The two countries enjoy huge economic potentials, vast natural resources and a variety of investment opportunities apart from a distinguished cultural heritage. They also enjoy huge political influence at the world stage. This will contribute to taking our mutual cooperation to new heights within a strategic perspective.”
Abdullah emphasized Saudi Arabia’s desire to promote consultation and coordination with Russia on major regional and international issues. “Friendship and mutual respect are the hallmarks of Saudi-Russian relations,” he added. The two countries have already signed agreements for cooperation in oil, gas, science and technology, trade and sports.
“We look forward to expanding our cooperation during the president’s visit by signing agreements for the protection and promotion of investment, air transport and avoidance of double taxation. We also want to expand our cooperation in research, education and technology.” Abdullah called for greater cooperation and coordination between Saudi Arabia and Russia to ensure an adequate oil supply for world oil market stability.
The Saudi leader described the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as the longest in modern history and emphasized the need for finding a radical and lasting solution for it. “A solution to this conflict will lead to solving many other problems and save a lot of financial resources for the development of the entire region,” he said.
King Abdullah proposed a three-prong solution to bring about peace and stability in war-ravaged Iraq. “Reinforce security by eradicating all sources of violence including armed militias without discrimination; achieve national unity among all Iraqi groups, ensuring equal rights; and preserve Iraq’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity,” he said.
He also noted Saudi Arabia’s successful efforts in defeating terrorism, and applauded the country’s brave security forces in confronting the phenomenon that goes against the teachings of Islam and values of the Kingdom. “Our fight against terrorism will continue at the national and international levels until it is wiped out,” he added.
King Abdullah stressed the importance of respecting other cultures. “We have to know that all human civilizations emerged from one source and have benefited from one another,” he said and called for the integration of civilizations. “We should stand against calls for creating division and discrimination among them,” he said, adding that the Janadriya Heritage and Culture Festival was open to the world as it hosts a large number of scholars and intellectuals representing various cultures. “This year we look forward to hosting a number of Russian intellectuals,” the king said.
King Abdullah underlined the desert values of humaneness, open-mindedness, sincerity, chivalry, courage, magnanimity, romantic spirit and closeness to God. “While reading, I find myself attracted to everything that opens a new door toward understanding the human mind,” said the king, who is an avid reader. Abdullah said he considered being in power a big responsibility. “A man in power should meet the hopes and aspirations of ordinary people in the streets, know the views of prominent people and understand the fabric of his society and its relation with other societies and cultures.”
