MOSCOW, 22 November 2007 — Crown Prince Sultan, deputy premier and minister of defense and aviation, arrived here yesterday at the start of a landmark visit and stated that Russia can play a vital role in bringing about a just and comprehensive Middle East peace settlement.
In an interview with Itar-Tass news agency, Prince Sultan said Israel’s intransigence toward peace initiatives as well as the diversion of certain peace proposals from core issues were the two main reasons for the failure of efforts to solve the Arab-Israeli conflict in the past.
Sultan said his visit was aimed at strengthening the existing economic, trade, industrial, scientific and technological relations between the two countries. “I am confident that my talks with President Vladimir Putin and top Russian officials would contribute to strengthening mutual cooperation and understanding.”
The crown prince said trade exchange between the two countries had increased more than seven times during the past six years. “But our ambitions are to take our economic ties to greater heights,” he added.
He said cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Russia, being the world’s largest oil producers, would have a great impact in stabilizing the world oil market. “Achieving world oil market stability is a joint responsibility of producers and consumers,” he added.
He urged Saudi and Russian businessmen to avail investment opportunities in both countries. He hoped that an agreement on investment promotion and protection would be signed soon. Sultan lauded Russian companies for their interest in investing in the Kingdom’s gas and railway projects. He also welcomed their participation in mining and high-tech industries.
Sultan said Saudi Arabia and Russia would cooperate in combating terrorism. “We have taken the initiative to fight terrorism by organizing the first international counterterrorism conference in Riyadh.”
Referring to the situation in Iraq, the Saudi crown prince said the unity of Iraqi people and halting external interference in Iraqi affairs were the only solutions to lift the war-torn country from its present crisis. Sultan also said Saudi Arabia and Russia have proposed the setting up of international uranium enrichment centers in order to assist those who wish to make use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.
He said Saudi Arabia has been providing economic and humanitarian assistance to Chechens and other peoples with the approval of authorities in their countries.
Informed sources said Prince Sultan’s talks with President Putin and other Russian leaders will focus on Middle East peace, Iran’s nuclear standoff with the West, the situation in Iraq and ways of strengthening bilateral ties.
The three-day royal visit reflects growing relations between Riyadh and Moscow. According to diplomatic sources, the visit will strengthen Saudi-Russian military cooperation. Sultan is accompanied by a high-level delegation.
The historic visit of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah to Moscow in 2003, when he was crown prince, and his meeting with President Putin opened a new era in Saudi-Russian relations. Putin visited Riyadh in February 2007, becoming the first Russian president to visit Saudi Arabia.
Informed sources said Sultan would meet Putin tomorrow. He will also hold talks with Russian Prime Minister Viktor Zubkov, Russia’s defense and foreign ministers, the Moscow mayor, Russian business leaders and Muslim scholars.
The Russian news agency Novosti highlighted the significance of Sultan’s visit to Moscow. The agency noted the expanding bilateral cooperation between the Kingdom and Russia in a number of fields, especially in the economic and commercial areas.
Earlier, Prince Sultan was seen off at Riyadh Air base by senior princes and top officials including Interior Minister Prince Naif, Intelligence Chief Prince Muqrin, Prince Khaled ibn Sultan, assistant minister of defense and aviation for military affairs, and Chief of Staff Gen. Saleh Al-Muhaya.
In an interview with Itar-Tass news agency at the time of Putin’s visit, King Abdullah said there were good prospects for cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Russia, particularly in energy and investment.
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 on the world stage. This will contribute to taking our mutual cooperation to new heights within a strategic perspective.”
