JEDDAH, 10 May 2005 — Crown Prince Abdullah yesterday told the weekly Cabinet meeting that his recent visit to the United States and France were instrumental in strengthening strategic political, economic, cultural and educational relations with the two countries.
Prince Abdullah said the outcome of his US and French visits would serve the interests of Arab and Islamic countries. He thanked Presidents George W. Bush and Jacques Chirac for the warm welcome they had accorded to him during the visits. The crown prince noted the “deep understanding and frankness” showed by the two leaders during talks.
He also spoke about his visits to Morocco, Egypt, Syria and Jordan to “clarify Saudi Arabia’s stand on regional and international issues,” the Saudi Press Agency said.
“All these countries have commended Saudi Arabia’s leading role in bolstering peace and stability in the region and its efforts to build bridges of cooperation with other states,” Information Minister Iyad Madani quoted the crown prince as saying.
Prince Sultan, second deputy premier and minister of defense and aviation, briefed the meeting on the outcome of his recent inspection tour of the central Hail region, where he launched a number of educational, health and development projects last week.
The Cabinet emphasized the significance of the Arab-Latin American summit in Brazil, saying that Saudi Arabia gives priority to its relations with Latin American countries. Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal is leading the Kingdom’s delegation to the summit.
The meeting expressed its anguish over the continuing bloodbath in Iraq and said it would obstruct efforts to reinforce peace and stability in the war-torn country. It condemned Friday’s blast in the Lebanese city of Jounieh and said such acts went against the ongoing efforts to bring stability to the country.
Referring to the recent terrorist attacks in Cairo, the Cabinet reiterated Saudi Arabia’s support for Egypt to confront violence and terrorism. The Cabinet endorsed the economic agreement between the Gulf Cooperation Council and India to expand commercial ties and sign free trade accords between the two sides.
The Cabinet meeting approved a memorandum of understanding with Jordan on reorganizing mosques and training prayer leaders. It authorized the information minister or his deputy to hold talks with Azeri officials for signing an agreement between the Saudi Press Agency and the Azerbaijani News Agency on exchanging news, expertise and technology. It also approved protocols related to protection of ships.
Meanwhile, the Shoura Council yesterday discussed the annual reports of the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources for 2002 and 2003 and called for a scientific study on the Kingdom’s oil reserves. “The increase in production and demand should not be at the expense of reserves and should not deny this national resource to future generations,” Dr. Saleh Al-Malik, the council’s secretary-general said.
While discussing another report from the Supreme Commission for Tourism, the Shoura emphasized the need to launch media campaigns to enhance public awareness on the significance of tourism for boosting national economy.
Saudi Arabian Airlines and travel agencies have been asked to organize package programs for both Saudis and expatriates offering discounted fares for tickets and accommodation. The Shoura debated another annual report from the Telecommunication and Information Technology Commission and urged it to take steps for encouraging investments in the sector and protect public interest as well as the interests of users. TITC must ask telecom companies to provide services in remote areas and cut prices to reasonable levels.
