RIYADH: Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubeir said that the Riyadh Declaration was likely to achieve unanimous agreement on the part of the states now attending the 4th Summit of Arab-South American Countries (ASPA) in the capital.

He was speaking after a preparatory ministerial meeting on Monday. He said that all members had shown interest and made positive remarks, describing it as a historic declaration.

“Its significance lies in that it covers very positive and important issues on commonly-held positions,” he said, adding that all the states refused to interfere in the affairs of other states and that their political positions were often the same as the Arab ones.

He said that Arab states linked by deep ties with South American countries, and there were constructive opportunities for partnerships in many areas.

According to him, Arab states have now begun to send their students to South American universities.

He stressed the importance of solidifying a strong and effective partnership between the two groups. He felt that interests were not limited to only two sides, but also extended to international sustainable development plans within the framework of multilateral cooperation under the umbrella of international legitimacy.

Pointing to Saudi Arabia’s economy, he mentioned that it was considered a key part of the global economy and was on the list of countries that contributed more than $120 billion in aid to developing countries over the past three decades.

The foreign minister noted the common views between the two groups on many issues. The South Americans, he said, supported just Arab causes and the Arabs also supported those of their South American friends.

He said the information revolution had enabled people to understand each other’s cultures. Advanced transportation has reduced travel time and facilitated mobility. Among us all, first and foremost are human values as well as religious and cultural values. He noted that a large number of Arabs had left their homelands and settled in South America.