Positive use of N-energy
IT should not come as a surprise to anybody that the Kingdom is seeking French assistance in building nuclear reactors to meet its growing energy demand. France is one of the leading countries using nuclear technology to meet its power demand. According to available statistics, around 75 percent of France’s electricity is produced using nuclear technology. This shows the level of expertise of this country in the nuclear field.
The recently concluded visit of Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, second deputy premier and minister of defense, to France should be seen in this context. During his visit, the deputy crown prince signed a number of deals pushing the ties between the two countries to a new strategic level. Among those deals include construction of nuclear reactors in Saudi Arabia for peaceful purposes.
The signing of this nuclear deal heralds the dawn of a new era. Observers may recall Arab attempts to acquire nuclear technology go back to the 1950s. However, those attempts never yield results. Perhaps after the destruction of the Iraqi nuclear reactor back in 1981 at the hands of Israel, this deal is the first of its kind after decades.
However, plans of Saudi Arabia, and other GCC countries, to get nuclear energy will hopefully realize a common goal for both oil producers and consumers. Oil that is currently being used to produce power could be utilized in other sectors like downstream industries etc. This will give a huge boost to the economies of oil-producing nations.
Under the leadership of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman, Saudi Arabia is all set to reach new heights. Our country is on the road to prosperity.
— By Sami Habib, Al-Madinah
Dawn of a new era
DURING the visit of Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, second deputy premier and minister of defense, to France, the Elysee Palace witnessed a historic event when the two countries signed 10 military and nuclear deals worth $12 billion.
The signing of these deals indicates the diversification in the foreign policy of Saudi Arabia and its willingness to forge new alliances and expand its ties with different global players. The change in foreign policy will also help boost the economy of the Kingdom in partnership with the developed nations.
The Saudi leadership is fully aware of the strategic importance of the Kingdom. Being the undisputed center of the Muslim world, prosperity and security of Saudi Arabia cannot be compromised. Maintaining ties with major global players is necessary for Saudi Arabia to help protect interests of Muslims across the world.
Fortunately, the visit of the deputy crown prince to Russia and France and signing of the deals come at time with the disclosure of the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) that Saudi Arabia is cleared of any involvement in the 9/11 incidents.
As a matter of fact, the Kingdom’s role has been highlighted in cementing relations with all countries and helping poor countries.
We strongly believe that opening up to the developed world will have far-reaching impact on the Kingdom. Keeping in view these recent developments, we are sure that Saudi Arabia is all set to grow strong in all spheres of life. With the help of these new alliances, Kingdom will be in a much better position to protect its interests and its borders.
— By Khalid Abdullah, Al-Sharq
Humanitarian causes
THE recently announced royal decision to pay SR150,000 to citizens with physical disabilities to bear their transportation expenses indicates the country’s resolve to serve its population with special needs. Instead of providing handicapped people with special vehicles, funds would be issued to them from now on. This is an unprecedented move to protect the interests of the handicapped.
Earlier, the handicapped people were provided with special vehicles to help facilitate their movement from one place to another.
It is a known fact that the Saudi government always amply rewards charity organizations, particularly those supporting the handicapped and poor patients. However, according to the recent move approved by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman, licensed charity organizations will be given SR2 billion to keep up with their good work.
Under the leadership of King Salman, the government is generously spending on humanitarian causes and to help organizations doing sincere social work. This shows that the Saudi leadership is mindful of the role of such organizations in the development of a society.
— By Yasir Salamah, Okaz
Forging strategic alliance
FORMER Soviet Union (USSR) was the first country to recognize the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 1926 and in 1930 the Soviet consulate was developed into an embassy. In 1932, King Faisal, who was crown prince at the time, visited the Soviet Union. However, the diplomatic relations were severed between the two countries in 1938 up to the disintegration of the Soviet Union in 1990.
In the post-1990 era, diplomatic relations resumed and received enormous boost, notably after the historic visit of King Abdullah, then crown prince, to Moscow in 2003 and the subsequent visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to Riyadh in 2007. Relations between the two countries grew steadily despite differences over certain political and economic issues.
The recently concluded visit of Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, second deputy premier and minister of defense, to Russia is of great importance due to its timings. The visit came at a time when the entire Middle East is experiencing immense difficulties — Syria is on fire, Iraq is fighting to remain intact, Libya has become a lawless place and Iran is continuously trying to take advantage of the situation in the region by stoking sectarian tensions and interfering in the internal matters of the Arab countries through its proxies like the Houthis in Yemen etc.
Politically, Russia is attaching great importance to the Kingdom as a key and strategic player in the region. It must not be forgotten that Russia is a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and yields immense influence on international issues, especially in the Yemen crisis when it abstained voting against UN Resolution No 2216 condemning the Houthi rebels and asking their withdrawal from Yemeni cities. Moscow and Riyadh are on the same page as far as the issue of terrorism is concerned.
Economically, both countries have common interests, particularly in oil and energy sectors. Saudi Arabia is the biggest oil exporter in the world and a key OPEC player whereas Russia is the biggest oil and gas producer outside the OPEC countries, which necessitates cooperation between the two countries.
Both countries are also getting closer on other fronts as well. Saudi Arabia is keen to acquire Russia’s advanced weapons so as to effectively tackle the scourge of terrorism and to protect its borders from Houthi incursions along its borders and also to reach out to new arms producers.
— By Ali Al-Inizi, Al-Hayyat
United we stand
FROM Kuwait, to Tunisia and ending up in France madness of terrorists aggravated who deliberately and repeatedly killed innocents, mostly Muslims, on one of the holiest days of the week (Friday) during the holiest month of the year.
The initial death toll in the terrorist attack on a mosque in Kuwait is around 27.
These terrorists are least bothered about Islamic unity and brotherhood. Their only aim appears to be sowing seeds of hatred, disunity, sedition and sectarianism. The terrorist selected the first row of prayers to create as much harm as possible.
The Kuwaitis, who are known for their unity, rushed to the targeted mosque. From members of the ruling family and top officials, people (Sunnis and Shiites) rushed to the site of the attack so as to express solidarity with the victims of the dastardly attack. The Kuwait government held an emergency meeting to discuss the situation. The terrorist attack was meant to drive a wedge between Kuwaitis. Fortunately, it had exactly the opposite effect, as the Kuwaitis joined hands without any discrimination and thwarted the attempts of those terrorists.
— By Jasir Al-Jasir, Al-Jazira
