Saudi CP visits Qatar to boost bilateral relations in various domains

Qatar Emir, senior officials receive Prince Sultan at Doha Airport

Talks tackle brotherly ties, fostering cooperation, regional, international issues

Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Premier, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General, arrived in Qatar at the start of an official visit to Qatar at an invitation of Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the Emir of Qatar.

At Doha International Airport, the Crown Prince was received by Emir of Qatar Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani; Qatar's Crown Prince Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani; Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabr Al Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs; a number of ministers and officials and Saudi Ambassador to Qatar Ahmed bin Ali Al-Qahtani.

The Crown Prince was accompanied by a delegation including Prince Khalid bin Fahd bin Khalid; Prince Khalid bin Saad bin Fahd; Prince Sattam bin Saud bin Abdulaziz; Prince Dr. Mishaal bin Abdullah bin Musaed, Advisor to the Crown Prince; Dr. Musaed bin Mohammed Al-Eiban, Minister of State, Cabinet's Member and a number of officials.

Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz delivers a statement upon arrival in Qatar at the start of his official visit.

The following is the text of the statement:

It is a great pleasure that we arrived in the brotherly State of Qatar at an invitation of Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Emir of the State of Qatar. I express my great pleasure to visit dear brothers headed by Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani and to convey the greetings of The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz to Qatar's Emir, government and people.

The visit comes as an extension and continuation of visits between our two brotherly countries and as confirmation of the warm relations existing between them. These relations have been further enhanced, emanating from the directives of The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz and his brother Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, on the development of brotherly strong relations and the enhancement of cooperation in various fields to serve the common interests of the two countries and their brotherly peoples and to further strengthen the march of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states.

I express my deep thanks to and appreciation of Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Crown Prince Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and all brothers for the warm welcome accorded to us in our second country with which we have close brotherly ties.

In conclusion, I pray to Almighty Allah for our success in the interest of the two countries, their peoples and Arab and Islamic nations.

Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the Emir of Qatar, received in Doha visiting Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Premier, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General, and accompanying delegation. Upon arrival at Alwajba palace in Doha, Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz was received by Emir of Qatar Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. Then Crown Prince Sultan shook hands with other Sheikhs, ministers, dignitaries, senior army officers, and members of the diplomatic corps accredited to Qatar.

Following a short break, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Emir of Qatar, and Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Deputy Premier, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General, held an official round of talks.

On the Qatari side, the meeting was attended by Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Heir Apparent; Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani, Personal Representative of the Emir of Qatar; Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa Al Thani, Special Advisor to the Emir of Qatar; Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabr Al Thani, Premier and Foreign Minister; and Abdullah bin Hamad Al-Atiyyah, Minister of Energy.

On the Saudi side, the meeting was attended by Dr. Musaed bin Mohammed Al-Eiban, Minister of State, and Cabinet's Member.

During the meeting, they reviewed the fraternal firm relations and ways of enhancing cooperation in different fields in a way that serves the joint interests of the two countries and their peoples and ways of enhancing the march of the GCC member countries. Moreover, they discussed the overall regional and international issues, particularly the Palestinian issue and situation in Iraq.

Then the Emir of Qatar held a dinner party in honor of the Crown Prince. The reception and dinner parities were attended by Crown Prince's accompanying delegation, and on the Qatari side by Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Heir Apparent; Sheikh Jasim bin Hamad Al Thani, Personal Representative of the Emir of Qatar; Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa Al Thani, Special Advisor to the Emir of Qatar; Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabr Al Thani, Premier and Foreign Minister; Abdullah bin Hamad Al-Atiyyah, Minister of Energy; other ministers and senior officials.

The Royal Court issued a statement saying that "Emanating from brotherly ties between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Qatar; in the framework of communication and consultation between the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Emir of Qatar; and at an official invitation of the Emir of Qatar, Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Deputy Premier, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General, left the Kingdom for Qatar (10th of March 2008)".

Prince Sultan graced also a dinner party held in his honor by Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabr Al Thani, Premier and Minister of Foreign Affairs.

The function was attended by members of the delegation accompanying the Crown Prince and Qatari ministers and senior officials.

Sheikh Hamad bin Jassem bin Jabr al-Thani, the Qatari Premier and Foreign Minister, said the visit of Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz, the Deputy Premier, Defense and Aviation Minister and Inspector General, to Qatar aims at developing Saudi- Qatari relations.

In a statement to pressmen following the dinner party he held in honor of Prince Sultan, al-Thani said 'we in the GCC are in need of exchange of visits, and I thinks the visit of Prince Sultan will positively contribute to enhancing relations among the GCC member states, notably between Qatar and Saudi Arabia'.

Al-Thani pointed that special relations exist between Qatar and the Kingdom, adding that 'we have discussed means for developing the existing fraternal relations'.

He noted that the developments in the Arab world, notably in Palestine and Iraq are a matter of common concern, and they were reviewed by Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, the Qatari Emir, and Prince Sultan.

Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the Emir of Qatar, received in Doha visiting Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Premier, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General, and accompanying delegation. Upon arrival at Alwajba palace in Doha, Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz was received by Emir of Qatar Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. Then Crown Prince Sultan shook hands with other Sheikhs, ministers, dignitaries, senior army officers, and members of the diplomatic corps accredited to Qatar.

Following a short break, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Emir of Qatar, and Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Deputy Premier, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General, held an official round of talks.

On the Qatari side, the meeting was attended by Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Heir Apparent; Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani, Personal Representative of the Emir of Qatar; Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa Al Thani, Special Advisor to the Emir of Qatar; Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabr Al Thani, Premier and Foreign Minister; and Abdullah bin Hamad Al-Atiyyah, Minister of Energy.

On the Saudi side, the meeting was attended by Dr. Musaed bin Mohammed Al-Eiban, Minister of State, and Cabinet's Member.

During the meeting, they reviewed the fraternal firm relations and ways of enhancing cooperation in different fields in a way that serves the joint interests of the two countries and their peoples and ways of enhancing the march of the GCC member countries. Moreover, they discussed the overall regional and international issues, particularly the Palestian issue and situation in Iraq.

Then the Emir of Qatar held a dinner party in honor of the Crown Prince. The reception and dinner parities were attended by Crown Prince's accompanying delegation, and on the Qatari side by Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Heir Apparent; Sheikh Jasim bin Hamad Al Thani, Personal Representative of the Emir of Qatar; Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa Al Thani, Special Advisor to the Emir of Qatar; Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabr Al Thani, Premier and Foreign Minister; Abdullah bin Hamad Al-Atiyyah, Minister of Energy; other ministers and senior officials.

Prince Sultan received at his guest residence Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Thani, Former Foreign Minister who is also the uncle of Qatar's Emir. The Crown Prince also received Ali bin Hamad Al-Atiyyah who is the uncle of Qatar's Emir and the father of Qatari Chief of Staff.

The Crown Prince also received sons of the late Sheikh Abdullah bin Zaid Al Mahmoud who is the Former Chief of Islamic Courts and Religious Affairs in Qatar.

They all thanked Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz for receiving them, wishing him a pleasant stay in his second homeland.

On his part, the Crown Prince expressed happiness to be in Qatar, wishing Qatari leadership and people more progress and prosperity.

The Crown Prince pointed out that his current visit to Qatar and his meetings with his brothers are brotherly communications that embody the meanings of solidarity and bonds of closer cooperation that serve the interests of the two countries and the two brotherly peoples in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Qatar under the leaderships of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.

The Crown Prince also received a number of Saudi students studying in Qatar.

The Crown Prince listened to their needs and urged them to concentrate on their studies and reflect the good image of the Saudi people.

The audience was attended by the delegation accompanying the Crown Prince, Saudi Ambassador to Qatar Ahmad bin Ali Al-Qahtani and a number of officials.

Emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, has sent a cable to Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Deputy Premier, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General, expressing great pleasure of the current official visit he was making to the State of Qatar and the fraternal meetings he held with Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Emir of Qatar.

In his cable, the Emir of Kuwait appreciated the fraternal contacts, ties of cooperation and unifying of ranks among the member states of the GCC which will definitely have good implications among the GCC member countries, wishing Crown Prince Sultan continuous health and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia more progress and prosperity under the prudent leadership of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.

The Qatari cabinet commended the results of the visit by Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Premier, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General, to Qatar.

During a regular session, the cabinet said the visit reflected desires by Saudi and Qatari leaders to boost Saudi-Qatari relations and cooperation for the common interest of the two peoples and countries.

Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz graced the luncheon hosted in his honor by Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, the Qatari Crown Prince.

The luncheon was attended by Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Thani, the Special Advisor of the Qatari Emir, Prince Khalid bin Fahd bin Khalid, Prince Khalid bin Saad bin Fahd, other princes and a number of senior officials.

The Qatari newspapers highlighted the importance of the visit of Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz, the Deputy Premier, Defense and Aviation Minister and Inspector General, to Qatar and said it would positively contribute to enhancing bilateral relations and would have a positive impact on the march of the GCC.

The papers noted the keenness of the Custodian of the two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz and Qatari Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani on developing and cementing the bilateral relations in the various domains.

Doha-based al-Sharq newspaper said the Saudis and Qataris attach a great importance to the visit and they are looking forward to the outcome of Prince Sultan's talks in Doha.

The current regional challenges and the international complications make it necessary to further enhance coordination among the GCC member states, said the paper.

On its part, al-Watan newspaper described the visit as a historical visit, and said it will pave the way for further cementing cooperation between the Kingdom and Qatar in all economic and investment domains, and moreover it will have a positive impact on the regional stability.

The paper said the visit comes at a time when the Arab region passes critical circumstances, adding that the meeting of the Saudi and Qatari leaderships will positively contribute to the service of the Arab higher interests.

The visit which embodies the existing deep-rooted relations between Saudi Arabia and Qatar, will undoubtedly give an impetus to the march of the GCC and will promote bilateral relations among its member states, it added. Meanwhile, al-Raya newspaper said the visit of Prince Sultan will give a great impetus to the deep-rooted Saudi-Qatari relations.

The paper noted that sincere and constructive dialogue between the two countries will serve the mutual interests and realize common aspirations at the local, regional and international arenas.

The visit of Prince Sultan to Qatar comes at a time when dangerous escalation is taking place either in Palestine, Iraq or Lebanon as well as regards the Iranian nuclear issue, said the paper adding that these developments make it necessary to consult each other for avoiding the expected dangers.

Pointing out to the Kingdom's important weight at the local, regional and international arenas as well as the increasing role of Qatar locally, regionally and internationally, the paper said the preservation of the existing strong historical relations between the two countries has become an inevitable matter.

Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz left Doha concluding an official visit to Qatar. The visit lasted several days.

At the airport, Crown Prince Sultan was seen off by the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifah Al Thani and other senior officials. The accompanying delegation of the Crown Prince Sultan during the visit left Qatar along with him.

Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz, the Deputy Premier, Defense and Aviation Minister and Inspector General, sent a cable of thanks to the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifah Al Thani after leaving Qatar.

In the cable, the crown prince thanked the emir for the hospitality and wished the best for Qatar and Saudi Arabia.

He sent also a cable of thanks to the Heir Apparent of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani after leaving Qatar.

In the cable, the crown prince thanked the heir apparent for the hospitality and wished the best for Qatar and its people.

Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz sent a cable of thanks to the premier of Qatar Sheikh Hamad bin Jasim bin Jabr Al Thani after leaving Qatar.

In the cable, the crown prince thanked the premier for the hospitality he received during the visit to Qatar. The crown prince commended the Saudi-Qatari distinguished relations and wished the best for the premier and Qatar.