Shoura Council Secretary-General Muhammed Al-Ghamdi told reporters yesterday that a number of proposals on the agenda were approved by the council during Sunday's session.

Al-Ghamdi said the draft treaty containing 19 articles was approved by a majority of the members of the council.

The Kingdom joined the Organization of American States (OAS) as its permanent observer in June 1992 during its General Assembly held in Nicaragua. Subsequently, the status of permanent observer was activated on April 12, 1996.

The concept of permanent observer status was established by the General Assembly at its first regular session, held in San José, Costa Rica, in 1971. Permanent observers participate in the organization’s activities and contribute to its programs. The OAS currently has 68 permanent observers.

The council then approved two separate reports from its committee on health and environment on the draft memorandum of understanding for cooperation in the field of environmental protection and conservation between the Kingdom and Qatar, and its report on the draft memorandum of understanding for cooperation in the field of meteorology.

The council also approved a draft agreement between the Kingdom and South Korea in the peaceful use of nuclear energy.

The draft comprised 16 articles geared to promote cooperation between the two parties in the field of peaceful use of nuclear energy in accordance with the existing laws and regulations in force in the two countries and on the basis of equality with mutual benefits.

The secretary general also said a draft agreement between the Kingdom and Ireland for the avoidance of double taxation and preventing tax evasion concerning taxes on income, and an accompanying draft protocol accord, were approved by the Shoura Council yesterday.

The draft convention included 28 articles which included areas such as maritime and air transport, income from immovable property and dividends from government services.

Al-Ghamdi said the agreement on the avoidance of double taxation was designed to encourage trade, attract foreign investment and ease the tax burden between citizens of both countries.