UK visit enriches Shoura team’s experience

A Shoura Council delegation returned to the Kingdom on Saturday following a successful five-day visit to Britain. The team was headed by Abdullah Al-Asheikh, Shoura Council chairman, and included two newly appointed female members, Thuraya Al-Obeid and Nihad Al-Jishi.
Al-Asheikh and the delegation visited the United Kingdom as guests of the British Group of the Inter-Parliamentary Union on an invitation from the House of Commons and the House of Lords.
Besides holding discussions with the parliamentarians, the delegation also met with British Foreign Secretary William Hague.
During talks with the foreign secretary, Al-Asheikh discussed bilateral relations and the council’s priorities for the upcoming months.
Hague described the visit as an excellent opportunity to share experiences and strengthen ties between the two countries. “It was a pleasure to welcome Dr. Al-Asheikh and members of his delegation to the Foreign Office as part of their visit to the UK. The UK’s Parliament has a long, rich and vibrant tradition at the heart of the British democracy,” Hague noted.
Hague said that he was particularly pleased that the UK was able to host the first official visit overseas by the newly appointed female members. “Female membership in the Shoura Council is a milestone for Saudi women. We value our strong relationship with Saudi Arabia and I look forward to continuing close cooperation in the years ahead,” the foreign secretary added.
Al-Asheikh commended the historical relations and the history of cooperation between the two countries, as well as their progress and development in various fields.
He also hailed the deep-rooted and strong cooperation in commercial, economic, cultural and educational fields, as well as the convergence of views regarding various current international issues.
Al-Asheikh praised the efforts of Prince Mohammed bin Nawaf bin Abdulaziz, the Saudi Ambassador to the United Kingdom, in strengthening Saudi-British relations and broadening their horizons.
He said the two parties were able to discuss means of enhancing parliamentary relations between the two countries. The delegation also held talks with many government and parliamentary officials on ways to share experiences and strengthen ties.
The women Shoura members met members of the British Parliament. “This is the first visit abroad with the president of the Shoura Council. The selection of the members was prompt and this shows the serious efforts by the council to involve women in its affairs,” said Al-Jishi.
“There are many files about women and the nation in general; our role in the Shoura Council is to be part of the debate about every issue raised in the Council,” said Al-Obeid.