This historic day came at a difficult time when our country was at a critical crossroads. In the early 90s, the people of Russia made their choice — for an open and free country.

Despite our glorious past, we need to build our own future. The bright future is being shaped by a competitive economy while also establishing a system of politics that would embrace greater openness in relations between the state and society while giving birth to a new quality of culture.

These basic values and respect for other states form the basis of our relationship with Saudi Arabia. This relationship was given a boost in 2007 when Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah and President Vladimir Putin held tie-boosting bilateral discussions in Riyadh.

Both Russia and Saudi Arabia are exploring new approaches to a more just and secure peace on the planet. And the ties, of course, are more than just the basic principles of cooperation. The relations are being built between free nations on the solid principles of universal international law.

We can state with confidence the similarity of positions of Russia and Saudi Arabia toward most international and regional issues. Our countries are united in condemning acts of terrorism and extremism, and they are effectively cooperating in trying to resolve major issues within various international forums, including G-20, as well as on the bilateral format.

Both Russia and Saudi Arabia vigorously advocate the shaping of conditions for constructive and mutually enriching dialogue between different civilizations and cultures. One should note that both Russia and Saudi Arabia think it is necessary to enhance the role of the UN in settling regional and international issues.

The key for both countries today is modernization and moving away from dependence on oil and gas, diversification of their economies and setting them on the path of innovation-based development. The plans to tackle these tasks are practically the same in both countries: the government modernization policy calls for considerable investments in the training of personnel, development of science, education, public health, and other social services.

I would also like to dwell on the issue of Russian-Saudi relations in culture, science and education. In mid-May this year, both took another step in boosting this area when the Saudi exhibition of archaeological masterpieces "Roads of Arabia" opened at the world famous museum — the Hermitage of St. Petersburg. More than 300 pieces, including many truly unique, aroused the interest of Russian scientists, historians, archaeologists, as well as the Russian public.

There are positive developments in education and science. Student exchange programs are expanding. Also students from the Muslim regions of Russia come to the Kingdom to study Arabic language, Islamic culture and religion. There is growing interest among the Saudi youth in the Russian language and Russian culture. Dozens of Saudi students study Russian language at the King Saud University in Riyadh.

In conclusion, I would like to note that today we have a real opportunity to open a new page in the history of Russian-Saudi relations. Our leaders — President Dmitry Medvedev and King Abdullah — both have the political will for this to happen.