JEDDAH, 12 August 2003 — Saudi Arabia yesterday gave the green light to a landmark agreement with Russia for cooperation in the oil and gas sectors. The weekly Cabinet meeting authorized the oil minister to sign the accord.
The strategic Cabinet decision comes ahead of the state visit to Russia of Crown Prince Abdullah, deputy premier and commander of the National Guard.
The crown prince is now on a four-nation tour which will also take him to Moscow. His talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin are likely to focus on bilateral relations, terrorism, and energy.
The Cabinet meeting, chaired by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd, also condemned Israel’s delaying tactics in implementing the road map and releasing Palestinian prisoners.
In a statement issued after the meeting, the Kingdom said Israel’s move to establish a security fence in Palestinian territories was aimed at grabbing more Palestinian land to turn it into Jewish settlements.
The statement said the international community must force Israel to implement all UN Security Council resolutions related to establishing peace in the Middle East.
Acting Culture and Information Minister Dr. Fahd Balghaneim said the Cabinet expressed its satisfaction over the positive public response toward the plan to establish a national dialogue center.
The center, named after King Abdul Aziz, will strengthen national dialogue and unity, the minister said. “It will serve as a forum for intelligent exchange of views between our scholars, educators and thinkers,” he added.
Balghaneim said the Cabinet meeting also approved new rules and regulations related to the profession of liaison officers (muaqibs) who act on behalf of companies and individuals at government departments.
The new law insists that only Saudis of no less than 18 years of age and without a criminal record should be allowed to do the job. They should present a bank guarantee for SR20,000 to the Commerce and Industry Ministry.
The new law will come into effect 90 days after its publication in the official gazette.
The Cabinet authorized the head of the Youth Welfare Presidency to hold talks with Russian officials regarding a memorandum of understanding for cooperation in sports.
The meeting approved a draft model to conclude agreements with the higher education ministries in other countries for scientific and educational cooperation.
It appointed Suleiman ibn Abdullah Al-Quraishi administrative consultant at the Defense and Aviation Ministry, and Dr. Fahd ibn Ahmed Arab director general of health colleges and institutes at the Health Ministry.
Deputy Asir Governor: King Fahd yesterday issued a Royal Decree appointing Prince Faisal ibn Khaled ibn Abdul Aziz deputy governor of the Asir region.
