Saudi Arabia and Syria discuss political solutions to latter’s crises

Update Saudi Arabia and Syria discuss political solutions to latter’s crises
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Saudi FM Prince Faisal bin Farhan, right, meeting with visiting Syrian FM Faisal Al-Miqdad in Jeddah on Wednesday. (SPA)
Update Saudi Arabia and Syria discuss political solutions to latter’s crises
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Saudi FM Prince Faisal bin Farhan, left, welcomes visiting Syrian FM Faisal Al-Miqdad in Jeddah on Wednesday. (SPA)
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Updated 13 April 2023
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Saudi Arabia and Syria discuss political solutions to latter’s crises

Saudi Arabia and Syria discuss political solutions to latter’s crises
  • Foreign ministers met for talks on economy, aid, refugees, security
  • Consular services and flights to resume between the two countries

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia and Syria have pledged to seek a political solution to the crises besetting the latter, according to a joint statement released after a meeting between the two countries’ foreign ministers in Jeddah on Wednesday.

Saudi’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and Syria’s Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad held discussions on Syria’s unity, security, stability and territorial integrity.

The ministers welcomed the start of procedures for resuming consular services and flights between the two countries, according to the statement.

The two sides also agreed on the importance of resolving Syria’s humanitarian challenges and creating a suitable environment for aid to reach all regions of the country.

Among the issues discussed was finding ways to ensure the return of external and internal refugees to their homes.

The ministers also stressed the importance of enhancing Syria’s security, and introducing measures to tackle terrorism, drug smuggling and trafficking.

National reconciliation in Syria remained a key outcome of all efforts now being undertaken, the ministers stated.

Mekdad thanked Saudi Arabia for its assistance to resolve the crisis in Syria, and for the aid sent to the country after the recent earthquakes.

As part of its relief efforts in northern Syria and southern Turkiye in February, the Kingdom sent 16 aircraft with more than 85 tons of aid, including 1,000 tents, 13,329 articles of clothing, 3,600 blankets and 3,600 mattresses.

The Kingdom’s Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji on Wednesday welcomed Mekdad at King Abdulaziz Airport in Jeddah.


Saudi ministers discuss expansion of economic ties with Bahrain, Slovenia

Saudi ministers discuss expansion of economic ties with Bahrain, Slovenia
Updated 5 sec ago
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Saudi ministers discuss expansion of economic ties with Bahrain, Slovenia

Saudi ministers discuss expansion of economic ties with Bahrain, Slovenia
  • Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Al-Khorayef of his Bahraini counterpar, Abdullah Fakhr in the Slovenian capital
  • Saudi Minister of Economy and Planning Faisal Alibrahim attending the Slovenia-Saudi Business Roundtable Meeting in Ljubljana. (SPA)

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Al-Khorayef held a meeting on Wednesday with his Bahraini counterpart Abdullah Fakhro, and his accompanying delegation, at the ministry’s headquarters in Riyadh, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

During the meeting, Al-Khorayef emphasized the strong fraternal relations between the two countries and reiterated the Kingdom’s commitment to enhancing cooperation in various fields, including industrial and economic integration.
The discussions focused on the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 and Bahrain’s Economic Vision 2030, with a particular emphasis on strengthening industrial cooperation, exploring mutually beneficial opportunities, and fostering the exchange of expertise and technologies between the private sectors of both countries.
The meeting also addressed strategies to increase trade volume and promote non-oil exports.
Saudi non-oil exports to Bahrain last year amounted to SR7 billion ($1.8 billion), while imports amounted to SR9.8 billion during the same year.
The Saudi Industrial Development Fund contributed to financing 13 industrial projects worth SR1.5 billion.
Meanwhile, Saudi Minister of Economy and Planning Faisal Alibrahim began an official visit to Slovenia, where he held meetings with senior government officials, including Minister of Economy, Tourism and Sport Matjaz Han, Minister of Finance Klemen Bostjancic, and President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Tibor Simonka.
On the sidelines of his visit, Alibrahim participated in the Slovenia-Saudi Business Roundtable Meeting that featured several presentations on investment opportunities in the Kingdom.
Speaking at the event, he said: “There is substantial untapped potential for collaboration between Saudi and Slovenian private sectors. This synergy can lead to innovative ventures, and investment opportunities that create mutually beneficial outcomes for businesses in both countries.”
He also added that this will drive innovation and foster progress.
The Slovenian side highlighted key investment opportunities in the Central European country as well as its successful business ventures in the Kingdom to date.
The roundtable meeting also included the signing of a memorandum of understanding to establish the Saudi-Slovenian Business Council to further enhance cooperation in the private sector between the two countries.
Alibrahim’s visit is part of the Kingdom’s efforts to build bridges and boost cooperation with the rest of the world, in line with Saudi Vision 2030.
Stronger multilateral cooperation and cross-border investments will unlock a thriving private sector that supports the Kingdom’s socio-economic development.


Saudi envoy holds talks in Ramallah with Palestinian PM and EU representative

Saudi envoy holds talks in Ramallah with Palestinian PM and EU representative
Updated 2 min ago
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Saudi envoy holds talks in Ramallah with Palestinian PM and EU representative

Saudi envoy holds talks in Ramallah with Palestinian PM and EU representative
  • Ambassador Nayef Al-Sudairi reaffirmed the unwavering support of the Kingdom for Palestine in all international forums
  • The two-day official visit was his first since he was appointed Saudi Arabia’s non-resident ambassador to the state in August

RIYADH: Nayef Al-Sudairi, the Saudi non-resident ambassador to the State of Palestine, visited Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Shtayyeh at his office in Ramallah on Wednesday.

Shtayyeh warmly welcomed Al-Sudairi to Palestine and underlined his commitment to providing all necessary support for the envoy’s mission, which Shtayyeh said he expects to contribute significantly to the development of relations between the two sates, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The ambassador, who was on a two-day official visit to the West Bank that began on Tuesday, reaffirmed the unwavering support of the Kingdom for Palestine in international forums, and emphasized the strength of the relationship between the states and the potential for enhanced cooperation in a number of fields.

In a separate meeting, Al-Sudairi, who is also the Kingdom’s ambassador to Jordan, held talks with the EU’s representative in Palestine, Alexandre Stutzmann, to discuss the latest political developments relating to the Palestinian cause, along with other issues of common interest.

In addition, he held talks with Munib Al-Masri, the chairman of the board of directors of independent development organization Al-Quds Fund and Endowment, about ways to strengthen and develop relations.

The envoy, who was visiting the territory for the first time since he was appointed ambassador to Palestine in August, earlier presented his credentials to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.


Saudi trade delegation concludes 3-day visit to Singapore

Saudi trade delegation concludes 3-day visit to Singapore
Updated 37 min 15 sec ago
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Saudi trade delegation concludes 3-day visit to Singapore

Saudi trade delegation concludes 3-day visit to Singapore
  • The delegation consisted of representatives from 14 government agencies

RIYADH: A Saudi delegation, led by Minister of Commerce Majid Al-Qasabi, on Wednesday concluded a three-day visit to Singapore aimed at enhancing trade exchange and economic partnership between the two countries, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Al-Qasabi held a number of ministerial meetings, including with Minister for Education Chan Chun Sing; Minister for Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong; Minister for Manpower and Second Minister for Trade and Industry Tan See Leng; and Minister for Social and Family Development Masagos Zulkifli.

The delegation, which comprised 36 officials, also visited the Asia Competitiveness Institute and Tuas Port — the world’s largest fully automated port — where meetings were held with Singaporean companies which focused on enhancing cooperation in the services sector.

Members of the delegation also participated in the Saudi-Singapore Business Forum, which was co-organized by the Federation of Saudi Chambers and the Singapore Business Federation.

The delegation consisted of representatives from 14 government agencies.

Al-Qasabi also met female leaders during the visit who are currently participating in the Women Future Leaders Program for the Logistics Sector.

The program is presented by the Saudi Logistics Academy in collaboration with the Singapore Supply Chain and Logistics Academy.

The minister received a briefing on the training program and its anticipated outcomes.

Abdullah Al-Abdulkarim, the executive director of the Saudi Logistics Academy, said the program was a fully supported, cost-free initiative, sponsored by the National Industrial Development and Logistics Program, and its primary goal was to prepare and empower leaders within the logistics sector.


Saudi FM meets France’s special envoy for Lebanon, Nauru’s president

Saudi FM meets France’s special envoy for Lebanon, Nauru’s president
Updated 42 min 51 sec ago
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Saudi FM meets France’s special envoy for Lebanon, Nauru’s president

Saudi FM meets France’s special envoy for Lebanon, Nauru’s president

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan on Wednesday received Jean-Yves Le Drian, French President Emmanuel Macron’s special envoy for Lebanon, in Riyadh, the Kingdom’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

The parties reviewed bilateral relations and looked at ways to extend joint coordination in many fields.

They also discussed the latest developments in Lebanon, as well as in regional and international arenas, the Kingdom added in a statement.

Prince Faisal also met Nauru’s President Russ Kun in Riyadh to discuss ways of strengthening ties.

The minister conveyed greetings from King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to the president, and their wishes for continued progress for the government and people of Nauru.

Bilateral relations and ways to strengthen and develop them in various fields were discussed, in addition to focusing on the most prominent developments on both the regional and international stage.

Prince Faisal held bilateral talks on Monday with Vince Henderson, the minister for foreign affairs, international business, trade and energy of the Commonwealth of Dominica.


Mauritania reaffirms stand with IMCTC in fight against violent extremism

Mauritania reaffirms stand with IMCTC in fight against violent extremism
Updated 28 September 2023
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Mauritania reaffirms stand with IMCTC in fight against violent extremism

Mauritania reaffirms stand with IMCTC in fight against violent extremism
  • Defense Minister Hanena Ould Sidi gave the assurance during talks with the alliance's secretary-general 
  • Maj. Gen. Mohammed bin Saeed Al-Moghedi was on an official visit to the North African country

RIYADH: Mauritania’s defense minister on Wednesday reaffirmed his country's unwavering stand with the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition (IMCTC) in the campaign against international terrorist organizations, the alliance said in a statement.

Minister Hanena Ould Sidi gave the assurance during a meeting in Nouakchott with Maj. Gen. Mohammed bin Saeed Al-Moghedi, secretary-general of the Riyadh-based IMCTC, who was on an official visit to the Mauritanian capital.

Al-Moghedi was also briefed about the main undertakings of the Mauritanian defense ministry and the country’s initiative to establish the Sahel Alliance.

Mauritania is one of the 42 member states of the coalition, which was formally organized in 2016 to counter the activities of terrorist groups such as the Daesh and Al-Qaeda. Riyadh is the base of its joint operations center.

Minister Sidi said the coalition’s campaign against terrorism and violent extremism is a holistic one that includes awareness as well as fighting terror financing, the statement said.

Security experts have said that unless terror organizations are deprived of funding, they will continue to flourish.

For his part, Major General Al-Moghedi cited Mauritania’s role as a solid base in fighting the scourge of terrorism in the Sahel countries, and its effective role in moderation and centrism in the Maghreb region.

Al-Moghedi also cited Mauritania's effective participation with many organizations in combating terrorism, adding that the IMCTC was looking forward to expanding cooperation to ensure that terrorism in all its forms and patterns would be eradicated.

Al-Moghedi also met with the director general of the G5 Sahel Defense College, Maj. Gen. Brahim Vall Cheibani, and was briefed about the institution’s duties and strategic goals, as well as the latest developments related to the five Sahel countries.

They also discussed ways to enhance cooperation and develop future visions that serve both sides.