Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal today held a joint press conference with the Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs Franco Frattini in Jeddah. Addressing the conference, he said that his talks with Frattini covered regional and international issues of concern, particularly means of activating the Middle East peace process, promoting stability and self-government in Iraq, and cooperating in the international arena to combat terrorism.
Prince Saud said that the Saudi-Italian talks covered means of boosting bilateral relations within the framework of the Saudi-Italian Joint Committee. The Joint Committee has concluded a number of significant agreements, including for the protection and promotion of investment between the two countries, and has almost concluded an accord on the prevention of dual taxation. Representatives of the private sectors of the two countries will participate in the Committee’s forthcoming meeting, scheduled to take place in Saudi Arabia.
Prince Saud described the talks as successful, continuing the success of the recently-concluded GCC-European meeting in Brussels, in which the two parties agreed to sign an agreement on a free trade zone before the end of this year. He said that the talks provided a suitable opportunity to discuss the positive outcome of the Tunis Arab Summit.
The Foreign Minister expressed the Kingdom’s regret regarding the tragic situation for the Palestinian people, who are suffering constantly at the hands of Israeli aggression, the demolition of Palestinian homes and property, the killing of innocent civilians and the devastation of hope for a peaceful settlement and for the protection of their basic human rights. He lamented the international community’s failure to pressurise Israel to cease its current aggressive practices, which fragrantly breach humanitarian values, international law and legitimate international resolutions. He cited the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1544, stressing the need for revival of the ‘Road Map’ based on close cooperation between the Arab Peace Follow-up Committee and the Quartet Committee.
Prince Saud said that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Italy share the belief that the United Nations Security Council resolution on Iraq, which is currently being drafted, should include granting the United Nations full authority to achieve security and stability in Iraq, with a transfer of power and complete sovereignty to a legitimate Iraqi government to enable the Iraqi people to reconstruct their civil and constitutional establishments.
The Saudi and Italian sides two parties have agreed to create a mechanism to establish regular consultation between the Foreign Ministries of the two countries.
Replying to a question on the possibility of deploying Saudi troops in Iraq, Prince Saud said that all Arab countries discussed the matter at the Tunis Summit. The decision will be taken in accordance with the wishes of the legitimate Iraqi government, after the transference of power, under the legitimacy of the United Nations. Prince Saud noted that the Joint Arab Defence Treaty stipulates that the presence of any Arab force in an Arab country must be at the request of that state and its government.
The Italian Foreign Minister stressed the keenness of his country to promote cooperation with the Kingdom in all fields, particularly in combating terrorism. He praised the Kingdom’s role in the fight against terrorist activities.
The Minister lauded the Middle East peace initiative presented by Crown Prince Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz and adopted by the Arab League, and reiterated the full commitment of his country, the European Union and the Quartet Committee to implementation of the Road Map to achieve peace in the Middle East.
Source: SPA
