Crown Prince Sultan pays official visit to Spain

King of Spain grants decorates Prince Sultan with medal of Charles III

Saudi Arabia, Spain sign defense MoU in attendance of Spain's heir apparent, prime minister

Crown Prince addressing Arab ambassadors: Spain backs our issues, Arabs have to solve problems, resort to reason

Arab ambassadors in Spain say Saudi Arabia carries message of piece, tolerance, coexistence

King Juan Carlos of Spain awarded Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz, the Deputy Premier, Defense and Aviation Minister and Inspector General, the medal of Charles III, the highest medal in Spain.

Later, the Crown Prince graced the dinner party held in his honor.

The dinner party was attended by a number of senior Spanish officials as well as the Crown Prince's official accompanying delegation.

Prince Sultan had arrived in Madrid to begin an official visit to Spain in response to an invitation by King Juan Carlos.

Upon arrival at the airport, the Crown Prince was received by Spain's Heir Apparent Asturias, Felipe de Borbon and Prince Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz, Saudi Ambassador to the Kingdom of Spain.

Crown Prince Sultan was awarded a red carpet welcome at the airport, with the royal anthems of the two kingdoms played and the guard of honor of Spain reviewed.

Spain's Royal Palace Manager Alberto Atha, Spain's Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Manuel Albert, senior civil and military Spanish officials, the Arab diplomatic corps accredited to Spain, Saudi Military Attaché in Spain Colonel Abdullah Jazl Al-Shammari and staff members of the Saudi Embassy in Madrid also received the Crown Prince who shook hands with them.

Following a brief break at the V. I. P. lounge at the airport, Crown Prince headed for his guest residence in downtown Madrid. He was escorted by the Spanish Heir Apparent Asturias.

The Crown Prince's official delegation includes Prince Khalid bin Fahd bin Khalid; Prince Khalid in Saad bin Fahd; Prince Fahd bin Abdullah bin Musaed; Prince Sattam bin Saud bin Abdulaziz; Prince Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz, Saudi Ambassador to Spain; Prince Faisal bin Saud bin Mohammed; Prince Faisal bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz, Secretary General of Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud's Charity Foundation; Dr. Musaed bin Mohammed Al-Aiban, Minister of State and Member of the Cabinet; Dr. Ibrahim bin Abdulaziz Al-Assaf, Minister of Finance; Dr. Nizar bin Obeid Madani, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs; Abdullah bin Mohammed Al-Nimir; Abdullah bin Saad Al-Ghirairi, Chief of the Crown Prince's Protocol; Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al-Suwailem, Deputy Chief of the Crown Prince's Court; Mohammed bin Salem Al-Marri, Special Secretary to the Crown Prince; Abdullah bin Mushabbab Al-Shihri, Personal Companion of the Crown Prince; Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulrahman Al-Homoodi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry for Foreign Trade; and Abdulrahman bin Salih Al-Bunyan, Director General of the office of the Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General.

Crown Prince Sultan left Morocco earlier At Agadir International airport, he was seen off by Prince Rasheed bin Al-Hasan II; Rasheed Al-Filali, Governor of Agadir; Dr. Mohammed Al-Bishr, Saudi Ambassador to Morocco, Brigadier General Staff Ali Al-Dihayem, and a number of Saudi embassy staff members. In an arrival statement at Madrid International Airport, Prince Sultan said:

"As I arrive in the Kingdom of Spain, I am glad to express my thanks to and appreciation of His Majesty King Juan Carlos for his kind invitation to me to visit this friendly country.

I would also like to express my great pleasure on this occasion which will allow us to meet with His Majesty the King and to convey the greetings of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz to his Majesty, and have a meeting with His Royal Highness Prince Asturias, Felipe de Borbon, the Prime Minister Mr. Jose Luis Zapatero and senior officials of the Spanish government, to continue discussing ways to support and develop areas of cooperation between our two friendly countries in various fields, in addition to discussing regional and international issues of common concern.

The firm friendly relations between our two countries have witnessed considerable enhancement since the visit of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to Spain last year during which a number of agreements were signed to promote bilateral relations in various fields, as well as the recent visit of His Majesty King Juan Carlos to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia which has positively pushed such relations forward.

As we look forward to a continuing constructive role of Spain to push peace efforts in the region, we are confident that our discussions with His Majesty the King and His Royal Highness Prince Asturias and the Prime Minister will reflect the rapprochement of views between the two countries that aim to achieve comprehensive and just peace in the Middle East and to coordinate efforts on the international level for constructive cooperation for the good of all humanity.

Once again, let me say that I am pleased to be here in this friendly country and extend our thanks to and appreciation of His Majesty the King, His Royal Highness Prince Asturias, the Prime Minister and the friendly Spanish government for the warm reception and generous hospitality accorded to us upon our arrival, a reception that reflects the depth of the relationship between our two friendly countries".

Prince Sultan received at his guest residence in Madrid Spain's Parliament Speaker Jose Fono.

The Spanish Parliament Speaker expressed pleasure to meet the Crown Prince, wishing him a good stay in Spain and a successful visit.

On his part, Crown Prince Sultan expressed thanks to and appreciation of the Government of Spain for the warm welcome and generous hospitality accorded to him and the accompanying delegation, lauding the deep-rooted ties binding the two countries.

During the meeting, cordial talks were exchanged and issues of mutual concern to the two countries were discussed.

The meeting was attended by Prince Khalid in Fahd bin Khalid; Prince Khalid bin Saad bin Fahd; Prince Fahd bin Abdullah bin Musaed; Prince Sattam bin Saud bin Abdulaziz; Prince Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz, Saudi Ambassador to Spain, Prince Faisal bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz, Secretary General of Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud's Charity Foundation; Dr. Musaed bin Mohammed Al-Aiban, Minister of State and Member of the Cabinet, Ibrahim bin Abdulaziz Al-Assaf, Minister of Finance; Dr. Nizar bin Obaid Madani, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs; and senior protocol officials.

The Saudi crown prince also received Spain's Minister of Foreign and Cooperation Affairs Miguel Angel Moratinos.

During the meeting, they reviewed the relations of cooperation between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Kingdom of Spain, and ways of enhancing them in all fields in addition to the efforts of the two countries in bringing about peace and stability in the Middle East.

The meeting was attended by Prince Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz, Saudi Ambassador to Spain; Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz; Dr. Musaed bin Mohammed Al-Aiban, Minister of State and Member of the Cabinet; Dr. Ibrahim bin Abdulaziz Al-Assaf, Minister of Finance; Dr. Nizar bin Obaid Madani, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs; and senior protocol officials.

Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Zapatero received at Monakloa Palace in Madrid Crown Prince Sultan.

In written remarks following a photo-taking session, Prince Sultan expressed happiness to visit the Kingdom of Spain and meet with senior Spanish officials, hoping that the visit would contribute to the enhancement of the existing relations of cooperation between the two friendly countries.

Then Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Premier, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General, and the Spanish Prime Minister held a meeting during which they exchanged views on relations between the two friendly countries and ways of enhancing them in all fields in addition to a discussion on the latest developments in the international arena and the efforts of the two countries towards stability and peace in the Middle East.

The meeting was attended by Prince Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz, Saudi Ambassador to Spain, Dr. Musaed bin Mohammed Al-Aiban, Minister of State and Member of the Cabinet, Ibrahim bin Abdulaziz Al-Assaf, Minister of Finance; and Dr. Nizar bin Obaid Madani, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs.

On the Spanish side, the meeting was also attended by Acting Minister of Interior and Defense Alfredo Robalekiaba and a number of Spanish government officials.

In the presence of Crown Prince Sultan and the Spanish Prime Minister, a signing ceremony of a memorandum of understanding in the field of defense between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Kingdom of Spain was singed. The signing ceremony was also attended by Crown Prince Sultan's official delegation and a number of Spanish officials.

Then Crown Prince Sultan graced a dinner party held by the Spanish Prime Minister in his honor and his accompanying delegation.

Prince Sultan said the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has surpassed the stage of planning to the phase of practical implementation for broadening the political, social, economic and cultural participation.

In an interview published by Spanish ABC newspaper on the occasion of his visit to Spain, Crown Prince Sultan said the Shoura (Consultative) Council has witnessed national enhancing of participation and broadening through a hike in the number of its members at three consecutive stages, from 60 to 150, in addition to broadening the authorities of the Council.

Prince Sultan said the municipal elections began in 2005, and the institutions of the civil society, which constitute a source of decision, has witnessed broadening in its base and establishment of new organizations, notably King Abdulaziz Center for National Dialogue, which tackle all crucial social problems.

Prince sultan said the Kingdom views Spain as a friendly country, and it is keen on further enhancing bonds of friendship through exchange of views and cementing cooperation in various domains.

Moreover, he said, the Kingdom appreciates the great role being played by Spain inside the European Union and its role in enhancing the pillars of security, stability and peace in the Middle East region.

Q: What are the purposes of your visit to Spain?

A: "We in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia appreciate the great role of Spain inside the European Union, and we do appreciate its role in supporting security, stability and peace in the Middle East region.

My visit to Spain confirms the depth of relations between Riyadh and Madrid, and the observer of the history of relations between our two countries can notice the growth of these relations in all arenas, notably at the political, economic and cultural domains. We view Spain as a friendly country, and we continuously work to enhance the bonds of this friendship through exchange of views and intensification of cooperation in all domains.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is linked with Spain with a friendship treaty since 1961, and it signed the first industrial and agricultural cooperation agreement between the two countries in 1874, and formed a joint committee for industrial cooperation. That was followed by cultural, economic and industrial agreement between the two countries, including the agreement of establishing the Saudi-Spanish Fund with a capital of $1 billion. The agreement was signed during the visit of King Juan Carlos to the Kingdom in 2006. Several agreements were signed during the visit of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz to Spain in 2007 and the recent visit of King Juan Carlos to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Q: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has been shouldering a vital role as regards peace and stability in the Middle East region, how do you evaluate the march of the initiative launched by King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz for peace in the Middle East, which was approved by the Arab summit held in Beirut in 2002?

A: "Taking into consideration the continuous sufferings of the Palestinians since 1948, who are subject to killings, displacements and siege, and in order to realize peace in Palestine in a manner that greatly enhances peace in the Middle East region, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has supported all efforts for realizing peace. It supported and attended Madrid peace conference in 1991, and efforts that followed it for bringing about peace.

Starting from these principles and depending on the bases ad principles of the international legitimacy and its decisions, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz has announced his historical initiative for peace in the Middle East, and it was approved by the Arab summit, held in Beirut in 2002. That was for opening new horizons for co-existence based on restoring the Arab rights and ending the Arab-Israeli dispute and bringing about a durable peace in the region.

This initiative, with its comprehensiveness for all problems, remains the base for all Arab efforts exerted for realizing peace in the Middle East Region. The initiative has crystallized the Palestinian and Arab demands in a joint stand which reflects the stands of all Arab countries. All Arab summits held after Beirut summit reiterated the adherence of the Arab countries with this initiative which represents the unified stand of the Arab nation. But the sorrowful matter is the continuation of Israel to reject and ignore all serious and sincere international peaceful initiatives for settling the dispute. Israel has been following a unilateral policies and violating all international laws and regulations and violating the human rights through building and expanding the settlements, building a wall and imposing collective penalties on the Palestinians leading to deepening the humanitarian suffering of the Palestinian people in the West Bank and Gaza strip.

So, we ask the international community to immediately and firmly intervene for ending the siege and the humanitarian sufferings of the Palestinians. We also urge the international community to shoulder its role as regards putting pressure on the Israeli side to make it positively respond to the Arab peace initiative for bringing about just and comprehensive peace in the region.

Q: How do you view the recent efforts between Syria and Israel to reach a peace agreement between the two countries, do you expect any success for these efforts?

A: "The peace march began optimistically at Madrid conference. The Arab countries participated in the conference, hoping that it would be a successful beginning for bringing about peace in the region on the bases and principles of the international legitimacy and its decisions, and the land-for-peace principle approved by the Madrid conference. But, the Israeli intransigence was behind missing the peace opportunities, one after the other. The Israeli practices constituted a thwarting element for the Arabs because the other party has failed to appear as serious.

As I said before, all Arab countries have adopted the Arab peace initiative which has enjoyed a great international support, and the success of any effort to bring about peace depends on the seriousness of the Israeli side."

Q: Do you expect a quick American withdrawal from Iraq may lead to a big void and a civil war which is worse than the existing situation?

A: "We, in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, feel painful to what is taking place in Iraq, and taking into account our Arab responsibility and humanitarian duties to ease the sufferings of the Iraqis, we have been supporting any effort which may contribute to restoration of security and prosperity to Iraq. As regards, the American forces stationed in Iraq, their presence or withdrawal as well as the presence and withdrawal of the other forces of the international alliance is a matter that concerns the Iraqi people ad government. Guaranteeing the stability and security of Iraq as well as preserving its sovereignty, independence, national unity and its Arab entity is a necessity for the security, stability and prosperity of the region.

Q: What do you think about the tense relations between Iran and the west, notably the US; do you think Iran will acquire a nuclear weapon through its current experiences?

A: "We, in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, has been urging and working for ending crises, and we have been exerting all efforts to preserve peace and security in the Middle East region. So, we have repeatedly reiterated the importance of making this region, including the Gulf region, free from the nuclear weapons and the weapons of mass destruction. We have called on all countries of the Middle East to respect entirely and fully respect the international conventions for preventing proliferation of nuclear weapons. It is the right of any country to acquire the nuclear technology for peaceful purposes, but that should be according to the measures and procedures of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and under its supervision, because acquisition of any of the countries of the region of a nuclear weapon constitutes a threat to the security and peace in the region. We hope the international efforts which aim at realizing a peaceful and quick settlement for the Iranian nuclear issue will be culminated into success."

Q: It seems that the Lebanese crises has reached a settlement after Doha meetings, it is believed that a Saudi role has contributed to reaching this solution, to what extent Saudi Arabia is linked with the Lebanese internal affair?

A: "In line with the desire of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the prevalence of security and stability in all Arab fraternal countries, the Kingdom has been supporting Lebanon since its independence at all circumstances. In line with its efforts to keep Lebanon away from the state of civil war, the Kingdom has exerted all what it can within the framework of the joint Arab effort for supporting dialogues and meetings of Doha among the Lebanese parties. The laudable efforts exerted by Qatar, the Arab League's Council and the Arab Committee, formed in line with the recommendation of the Arab Foreign Ministers Conference, held in this respect in Cairo at the invitation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Egypt, and facilitated the reaching of this agreement.

As it is well-known the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has contributed to ending the civil war in Lebanon through Taif agreement, so it is never a strange matter if the Kingdom comes near the Lebanese people and exerts its efforts to help them overcome their differences."

Q: The price of a barrel of oil was $7 in the seventies, and then it jumped to $26 before five years, but now it has exceeded $100, can you tell us what is taking place in the oil market, and are the old prices not liable for return?

A: "What determines the price of oil depends on various factors at the market, supply and demand, as well as the level of the commercial stockpile in the consuming countries. The price of oil is affected by the political turmoil and the situation of the international financial market and the policies of the consuming countries and other elements. There is another element which has a clear adverse impact, namely the behavior of the speculators. So, the consuming countries should review this matter for containing fluctuations in prices.

Prince Sultan said "The Kingdom's petroleum policy takes into account the interests of both exporting and consuming countries. We always work for the stability of the market and the balance of supply and demand and continuity of oil supplies safely to the consumers, but no country, what ever its productive capacity, can alone determine the price of petroleum because there are uncontrollable factors.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has been hosting the general secretariat of the International Energy Forum, which aims at building confidence and exchanging data between the producing and consuming countries as well as promoting a better understanding for the problems of energy that have an international impact.

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz announced at OPEC summit held in Saudi Arabia in 2007 the establishment of a program for financing scientific researches pertaining to energy and environment and climate changes. The Kingdom has announced contribution of $300 million to the program.

These Saudi policies and efforts confirm a sincere Saudi willingness in the stability of the prices in a manner that preserves the interests of the producers and consumers as well as the continuity of the world economic growth, notably in the developing countries in a manner that realizes the welfare of the world's nations."

Q: Saudi Arabia owns a huge wealth due to the hike of oil prices, are there any benefits from this economic boom as the case was in the seventies?

A: We, in the Kingdom go in line with 5-year development plans that aim at steady and balanced development. The Saudi economy witnessed within the last three decades a remarkable positive and comprehensive transformation. That goes back to the huge investments being carried out by the state in the installations, the material and social infrastructures and industrial utilities. The state has invested great resources in setting up industrial cities, and extended loans and grants for supporting the manufacturing industries, agricultural and housing projects.

The 8th development plan which ends in 2010 focuses on the development of the non-petroleum economic sectors as well as improving the services and the operational capabilities in addition to rationalization, development of educational services, sciences and technology, giving attention to the data system and supporting the scientific research by focusing on the knowledge economies.

We follow a methodical development of strategic planning of comprehensive and sustainable development which cares for a promising future for next generations with a balance that covers all regions of the kingdom."

Q: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia announced the establishment of seven huge economic cities that will provide hundreds of jobs for Saudi youths. Contrary to the first Saudi development plans, today you depend more on the private sector, but still there are bureaucracies that might repulse the foreign investments in your country. What is your comment?

A: The kingdom established a number of economic cities to serve the non-oil economic sectors and to attract investors from the kingdom and abroad to provide job opportunities for Saudi youths, boost external trade movement, benefit the various commercial and industrial sectors in the kingdom, strengthen the Saudi economy and increase its ability to keep pace with local and foreign economic transformations.

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques has adopted the method of comprehensive economic reform which includes the development and modernization of the regulations resulting in the improvement of work environment enabling the kingdom to occupy the 23rd place among 178 countries according to a report by the World Bank on the ease of conducting business. This report included the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the list of top countries of economic reform.

It stated that the kingdom is proceeding with a convincing speed and way to achieve its goals concerning attraction of local and foreign investments and improvement of the business environment to be one of the ten best countries in competitiveness worldwide. As we commend the progress of the kingdom's ranking making it the best place for performance of business in the Arab world and the Middle East region, our efforts will not stop to ensure the maintenance of the realized achievements and make more improvement in the investment environment.

Q: Does Saudi Arabia have plans to improve its institutions to keep pace with the world's developments and local requirements for more social and political freedom?

A: Whoever follows the kingdom's affairs realizes that we surpassed the phase of planning to the actual implementation of the expansion of the political, social, economic, cultural and other participation. The Shoura Council bolstered and expanded the national participation through the increase of its members over three consecutive stages from 60 members to 150 members in addition to the expansion of the council's powers. Municipal elections began in 2005. Also, the civil society's institutions, a supporting element of decision-making, expanded their base and new institutions were established.

One of the important existing institutions is King Abdulaziz Center for National Dialogue which discusses and analyzes all social and pivotal issues. All shades of the society participate in it through transparent and public dialogue.

Other associations such as the Private Association of Human Rights, the Saudi Journalists Association and other specialized professional associations were also established. The state was not content with the establishment of these institutions but also was keen on formulating the regulations and legislations governing their work and enabling them to achieve their goals. Also, the state has issued many regulations aiming at the continuation of development of the state's organs to expand and promote participation.

Q: Are there any Saudi legislation to improve granting women their rights in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as part of the Saudi reform projects?

A: When we talk about comprehensive development in the kingdom, we cannot ignore the positive and constructive contribution of Saudi women in this development. The kingdom has been keen on promoting and boosting this role through providing the required education and training for Saudi women in all educational phases starting from the kindergarten and ending with post graduate studies - inside the kingdom and abroad. The level of Saudi women education is one of the highest in the Arab world.

Today, thank God, Saudi women are strongly present at all educational, academic, medical, cultural, economic, media and other fields. In the government sector, the number of working women reaches nearly a quarter of a million women, about half the number of male employees. However, our ambitions are greater in boosting the role of women in the society and continuing maintenance of their rights ensured by Islam. We continue our efforts in this field.

Q: After the September 11 events, Saudi Arabia faced negative to aggressive positions as a result of linking it with terrorism. Has the picture changed in the West and in the United States in particular?

A: We in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have been honored by the Almighty God to serve the Two Holy Mosques, Islam and Muslims. Islam is not a religion of extremism, rigidity or exclusion. It is a religion of mercy, peace and construction. It is regrettable that this unjust concept of linking Islam and terrorism is there and was extended to affect the image of the kingdom in a number of Western media circles. We think that it is the duty of the media in various countries to underline that terrorism has no identity or race and that it is the imminent danger that threatens all members of the international community with no exception. This requires us all to stand united to confront this dangerous scourge and uproot it. I would like to emphasize that whoever embraces extremism and violence does not represent in any way Islam which is embraced by one and a half billion people around the world as it is a religion of peace, mercy, love and concord calling for goodness and renouncing evil.

All international relations were affected by terrorism and we are a part of this world but our friends in the United States, the West and the rest of the world appreciate our firm stand against terrorism and our hard work to dry out its material and intellectual sources.

Q: A lot of people do not know about your efforts to combat terrorism inside the kingdom. In an interview last week with director of the US Central Intelligence Agency with the Washington Post newspaper, he mentioned that al-Qaeda was defeated in Iraq and Saudi Arabia. Are you optimistic in this regard?

A: Saudi security men shoulder to shoulder with the public and media and intellectual institutions played a great role in confronting terrorists from the security and intellectual points of view. We think that we surpassed this stage with the help of God and solidarity between the Saudi leadership and people. However, we are always ready to face any emergency.

The kingdom has called for holding an international conference for combating terrorism and hosted it in Riyadh and called for the establishment of an international center for combating terrorism.

Saudi efforts to combat terrorism included rehabilitation of misled young people and the kingdom's experience in advising and intellectual rehabilitation has become a model for other countries. This is a major success in combating terrorism for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

We hope the international media will convey the facts and reflect the great efforts by the kingdom and the success it achieved in combating terrorism.

Q: How do you evaluate your personal relations with the Spanish king?

A: His Majesty King Juan Carlos and I have strong and long relations aimed at jointly seeking to serve our two countries and peoples and caring for international security and peace. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, led by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, and the Kingdom of Spain, led by King Juan Carlos, have stressed those bases which bind us together and push us to develop those relations which benefit our two countries and international peace of which we are a part and work to protect. I treasure the distinguished relations l have with His Majesty and the noble human attributes he has.

Moreover, Crown Prince Sultan received in Madrid accredited ambassadors of Arab countries to Spain.

The Crown Prince expressed his happiness over meeting them, commending their efforts in supporting Spanish-Arab relations. The Crown Prince emphasized that the Arab nation has a heavy weight in the world due to its values and resources.

Also, the Crown Prince met with the chief editors of Saudi newspapers, commending their efforts in highlighting the role of Saudi media in all forums at internal and external arenas.

After that, the Crown Prince graced the luncheon held in his honor by Prince Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz, Saudi Ambassador to Spain.

The audience and the luncheon were attended by the official delegation accompanying the Crown Prince.

Prince Sultan asserted that the Arab nation has a heavy weight in the world due to its possession of principles, values and resources, noting that the reality demands the unification of Arab ranks and benefiting scientifically and technologically from advanced nations to serve the Arab interests.

During an audience at his residence in Madrid with Arab Ambassadors accredited to Spain, the Crown Prince said that the Arab nation's ambassadors are the heart of the Arab nation as they represent all the Arab nation at the best and that they have big responsibilities, thanking Allah that each of them is fulfilling his duty towards his government or his Arab nation.

The Crown Prince added saying," The Arabs today, thank God, do not need many things, thank to what Allah has bestowed upon them of resources that make them give rather than take. They are always doing the good".

Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz said:" Our first duty is to obey Almighty Allah, know Him as He created us to worship Him then to serve His nation. The second duty is that the Arab nation today constitutes a big weight in the world with what it has of principles, values and resources.

First of all, we have to clarify the Arab atmosphere that sometimes gets confused and this happens among members of families in the house, so we should not be afraid of the superficial differences at all, but on the contrary I always feel grateful to our ambassadors as they abroad constitute the Arab nation, and the Arab unity. Thus, our cause is one and there is no case for a brother against his brother. Inside the Arab nation we find differences within one family as they are unsubstantial.

The Crown Prince continued saying: "Thank God, you represent your countries at the best and you are the front of the nation and you are in solidarity and standing one hand covering the confusion that appears over our nation abroad.

I find the ambassadors who represent the Arab countries serve their nation more than any one elsewhere and this is a grace of the Almighty Allah. We are brothers and helping each other and the Arabs today have a position in the world.

Considering first the religious aspect, sacred places are for Muslims and the Arabs. Resources, oil and agricultural areas are possessed by the Arab nation. This means that we do not need the others but we need the technology, modern science and development. We should give as much as we take.

He also said that Spain feels the Arab nation's issues more than any other country and I stressed and said in my talks with the King, the Prime Minister or all Ministers that you have a position that you should not back it off. Crown Prince Sultan asserted, "The Arab nation's ambassadors abroad are more careful and sincere".

The Crown Prince said:" We want the establishment of a Palestinian state that is completely organized, having complete duties and rights, and full sovereignty and borders", adding may God grant us all success.

The Crown Prince added: "We should as Arabs remove any problems that we may have and resort to the reason in everything and should never let passion control us. We should assist each other so that we set a high example when you respect yourself, people will certainly respect you".

At the end of his speech, the Crown Prince expressed his pleasure over meeting with the Arab ambassadors to Spain, wishing them permanent love, cordiality and working together in defending the Arab interests and wishing them all success in doing their duties.

Earlier, the Libyan ambassador, Abdulwahid Ramadan Ghmoudy, delivered a speech on behalf of the Arab ambassadors to Spain in which he expressed the honor of all for meeting Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz, welcoming him to Spain.