ADEN, 22 May — Crown Prince Abdullah, deputy premier and commander of the National Guard, arrived here yesterday on a three-day official visit, aimed at strengthening the historic relations between the two Arab neighbors. Prince Abdullah, who is the first highest-ranking Saudi leader to visit Yemen after the two countries’ signed a historic border treaty last June, was given a grand welcome by President Ali Abdullah Saleh and top Yemeni officials.
The crown prince later held talks with Saleh on boosting bilateral ties. The official Saudi Press Agency said both leaders also discussed major Arab and global issues, most importantly the Middle East peace and the situation in occupied Palestine.
Prince Abdullah, accompanied by a high-level delegation, will take part in celebrations marking Yemen’s 1990 reunification. He visited Yemen for the same event last year. That visit was followed by talks between Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd and Saleh in Jeddah in the presence of Prince Abdullah, leading to the border accord.
The agreement has helped improve bilateral relations. Saudi Arabia has rescheduled $249 million worth of Yemeni debts and extended new loans worth $300 million to finance infrastructure projects.
The two countries have signed a contract with a German firm to define their common border, which runs through rugged mountains and desert. Saudi officials expect the demarcation process will be completed within 17 months.
Saudi newspaper Al-Watan said Prince Abdullah would witness the opening and the laying of foundation of 1,083 development projects in various parts of Yemen. The projects are estimated to cost 108 billion Yemeni riyals.
Prince Abdullah was given a rousing welcome by the Yemenis as they lined up the streets to greet the Saudi leader and his motorcade. A large number of princes and ministers including Prince Miteb, minister of public works and housing, Riyadh Governor Prince Salman, Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal, Makkah Governor Prince Abdul Majeed, and Prince Turki Al-Faisal, director of intelligence, are accompanying him.
Press reports said the visit would witness the signing of several cooperation and joint investment agreements, including those to establish Saudi projects.
Saleh is expected to visit the Kingdom on May 29. Prince Sultan, second deputy premier and minister of defense and aviation, is likely to visit Yemen on June 12, leading a delegation that is due to participate in the Yemeni-Saudi Coordination Council.
