Crown Prince Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz, Deputy Premier and Commander of the National Guard, said that his visit to Russia, which he concluded yesterday, was aimed at enhancing relations between the two countries in various spheres.
In a statement to Russian ‘Interfax’ News Agency, Crown Prince Abdullah said that within the framework of efforts to boost bilateral relations, a number of bilateral agreements have been signed by both sides. He expressed optimism that the commercial partnership between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Russia would be enhanced through the transference of technology, increasing investment, and implementing joint projects.
The Crown Prince underlined the importance of Saudi-Russian cooperation in the oil sector, in order to preserve the stability of the international oil market. He lauded Russian support of initiatives of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), aimed at the realization of fair prices.
Commenting on the role that could be played by Russia in the a Middle East peace settlement, Crown Prince Abdullah said that Russia is a member of the 4-member international Quartet Committee, which is expected to exert efforts to implement the ‘Road Map’ to peace.
On the role of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Iraq, the Crown Prince said that the Kingdom supports international efforts aimed at securing stability in Iraq. “We are keen to ease the suffering of the Iraqi people, and the preservation of Iraq’s independence, sovereignty and regional security,” he said.
Crown Prince Abdullah slammed the biased campaign launched against the Kingdom following the incidents of September 11, and said that the accusations directed against the Kingdom are “unjustified and baseless”. He made clear that the Kingdom maintains its determined path in implementing firm anti-terrorism measures.
Crown Prince Abdullah said that the international community should exert strenuous efforts to resolve problems in the Middle East region, notably the Arab-Israeli dispute.
He expressed his hope that the problem of Chechnya would be settled by constitutional means, within the framework of Federal Russia.
He noted that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Russia have huge economic potential, and said that the two countries have established a joint commission to develop economic cooperation.
He said that he hopes that joint Saudi-Russian companies would cooperate in gas and petroleum fields, and to conduct joint scientific research.
He noted that the Kingdom views Russia as a partner, and not a competitor, in the oil sphere.
He praised the support extended by Russia to OPEC, and said that this support had positively contributed to the stability of the international oil market. With regard to Russia’s admission to OPEC, he said that the decision is for Russia to make, in the light of its own interests.
Crown Prince Abdullah criticized the repressive measures taken by Israel against the Palestinian people, and said that: “Israel is not working genuinely for settlement of the Middle East problem.”
On the situation in Iraq, he said: “The Kingdom will extend its unwavering support to international efforts towards reconstruction of Iraq.” He stressed the importance of forming a constitutional government in Iraq, which is representative of the Iraqi people, in order to pave the way for the end of the military occupation.
Source: SPA
