Crown Prince Sultan visits Qatar, highlights GCC relations

CP says development in Saudi Arabia unlimited

Israeli aggression undermine peace process, unifying Palestinian ranks first step to restore legitimate rights

Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz, the Deputy Premier, Defense and Aviation Minister and Inspector General, has highlighted the GCC relations, and said the establishment of the GCC embodies these existing deep-rooted relations.

Crown Prince Sultan, in statements published in the Qatari al-Sharq newspaper, said the GCC leaders have expressed the existing fraternal relations by establishing the GCC.

Prince Sultan said the GCC has proved its capability as regards confronting the challenges adding that the developments in an unstable regional environment makes it necessary to continue in the development of the performance of the GCC and coordination of policies and stands. 'The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Qatar are fraternal neighboring countries, and they have been maintaining historical relations which are governed by the bonds of kinship and the common fate as the case with other GCC member states', he noted.

Q: How do your highness evaluate the gulf relations under the current challenges facing the region?

A: The bases of fraternity, love and cooperation which link the Arab Gulf States have been expressed by the leaders through establishing the GCC which constitutes a normal extension for the eternal relations among the sons of this region. The GCC embodies the spirit of cooperation for realizing the welfare, security and stability of the citizens, moreover, the GCC is an effective means for supporting the causes of the Arab and Muslim nation. Undoubtedly the joint gulf work within the framework of the GCC has faced difficulties and obstacles as well as security and economic challenges, but we have attained series of achievements in all domains, and we have deep confidence in the soundness of the style of this good march.

Despite the fact that the gulf entity has proved to be capable of dealing with the events and challenges, yet the developments in an unstable regional environment make it necessary to go ahead on the path of developing the performance of the GCC and coordination of the policies and stands. With the grace of Allah Almighty, we have attained several achievements for the member states and the Arab region in general. The GCC member states have signed several joint agreements in a manner that has further cemented aspects of cooperation and integration.

Moreover, the GCC has succeeded in establishing important international relations with international groups and institutions. We do realize that the aspirations of the GCC leaders are great and our nations are looking for more achievements in all domains. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has worked to develop cooperation with all fraternal GCC member states in various economic, cultural, social and political spheres in a manner that benefits our countries and nations, and we are determined to go ahead and exert more efforts so as to reach the targets desired by the GCC nations and leaders.

Q: The gulf citizen has been complaining from the failure to complete the gulf unity like the unified currency, movement of citizens by identity cards and benefiting form complete citizenship's right, when all these ambitious goals will be realized?

A: It is known that the unified economic agreement, approved after few months of the establishment of the GCC in 1981, demonstrated a comprehensive and flexible way for the gulf economic work which aims at the establishment of a unified gulf economic unity. There are so many measures of cooperation and integration in the path of the gulf unity which has been adopting the gradual method and taking steps which might seem to be slow but actually they are effective and fruitful. Movement by the identity card is currently carried out among a number of GCC member states and the remaining states are awaiting the completion of the required technical procedures in this respect. As regards the gulf currency, it is decided to take place by 2010, but as you know some decisions are entailed by technical requirements which need some time for carrying them out. The positive and sincere intentions of the GCC leaders have been turned into decisions and working programs. The GCC has taken series of decisions pertaining to the gulf economic citizenship. It has become the right of the citizens in the GCC member states to invest, own and work in any GCC member state. This is a tangible step which has benefited so many categories in the gulf region.

Q: How your highness view the establishment of the gulf common market?

A: The GCC leaders, before the establishment of the GCC, realized the need for formulating a new gulf strategy taking into account the importance of the gulf economic interests and the belief that the GCC constitutes a bridge for crossing a rugged road amid world of gigantic economic blocs. The economic integration is an evitable matter in the light of the contemporary international situation, and so the gulf leaders worked to realize it. The GCC since its establishment worked for the establishment of the gulf common market in a gradual manner. In 1983 the duty-free zone was established, and the custom union was established in 2003 and the announcement of the common market was made at Doha Summit in 2007. This market aims at equality in treatment of the GCC citizens as regards practicing economic activities and facilitating the movement of the individuals and the capitals as well as encouraging investment and benefiting from the health and educational services in the GCC member states. The establishment of this market confirms that we are, with the grace of Allah Almighty, going ahead to realize our goals with strong and sincere determination and steady steps.

Q: The Saud-Qatari relationship were earlier strained, and the Saudi ambassador to Qatar was recalled to Riyadh, when the Saudi-Qatari relations will be normalized?

A: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Qatar are fraternal neighboring countries, and relations between them are historical relations which are governed by the bonds of kinship and common fate as the case with the other GCC member states, so what links us with the Qatar is not only due to extraneous circumstances, but it embodies a sincere and true expression for the depth of the existing relations between the two fraternal countries and nations for so many decades. The governments of the Custodian of the two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz and his Brother Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, the Qatari Emir, contributed to further enhancing cooperation between the two fraternal countries in the various domains and removing any thing that might lead to strain of relations between them through their agreement on 10-9-1428, corresponding to September 22, 2007. The participation of the Custodian of the two Holy Mosques King Abdullah in the recent Doha Summit as well as the visit of his Brother Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani to Riyadh stand as a witness for the strength of the existing relations between the two countries. When I come to Doha, I do feel that I am among my relatives and brothers, and the existing common factors between our countries and nations are stronger than any foreign element. Our relations have never been severed. As regards the Saudi ambassador to Qatar, the ambassador has been named, and he has arrived in Doha and assumed his work.

Q: The Kingdom has been witnessing an active cultural, political and social activity, how do your Highness view the outcome of that and its impact?

A: The march of modernization and development in the Kingdom has never been stopped since the establishment of the Kingdom by Late King Abdulaziz. The development was witnessed in all domains including the domains of economy, administration, human development and education in addition to updating the various systems of the state and improving the performance of the governmental organs.

The Custodian of the two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz has been giving utmost attention to enhancing the principle of national dialogue and the human rights. We in the Kingdom do realize the need for matching the developments in the world and the importance of openness on the useful new matters in a manner that does not contradict with the teachings of Islam. So what is currently witnessed by the Kingdom is a ring in the chain of continuous development process, and it comes in line with the policy of the Custodian of the two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz as regards development in all spheres including economic, social, educational and cultural development which aims at improving the standard of living of the citizens and creation of more job opportunities as well as opening more universities and educational and cultural institutions in addition to making all service sectors available and diversification of the production sectors and encouraging investment opportunities.

God willing, that will benefit the Saudis and lead them to more development and prosperity. I would like to say that economic prosperity in the Kingdom will have a positive impact on the economies of the GCC member states in general. We feel that our country is currently going quickly, more than any other time, in the path of human activity and economic openness with all of its kinds, because our country has huge human and material potentialities due to the national development programs which started before some decades. I am confident that we will continue, with the grace of Allah Almighty, in this balanced and comprehensive development policy which aims at the preparation of generations which are armed with science and knowledge, and capable of competition in an era where there is no place for the week.

Q: Several years ago, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was exposed to terrorist attacks. The wise leadership foiled these attacks and carried out preemptive strikes to eliminate attempts of out-law terrorists, while great countries failed to achieve this. What is your comment?

A: At the international level, the Kingdom took the initiative to combat this international scourge by holding the Anti-Terrorism International Conference in Riyadh in Dul-Hijjah, 1425AH with the participation of more than 60 countries and regional and international organizations. The conference resulted in many practical recommendations, including the adoption of the proposal of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz to establish an international centre to fight terrorism under the supervision of the United Nations. At the domestic level, security authorities were first to do their national duty by tracking down this deviant group. Thanks to Allah and thanks to the constant support of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and thanks to the great efforts exerted by my brother Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz, the Minister of Interior and thanks to the effective follow-up by security men, the Kingdom has been able to accomplish many of preemptive security operations against terrorist cells. Also, these efforts resulted in restoration of security and safety of citizens and residents in the Kingdom. These accomplishments have not been achieved without the cooperation of citizens as they are the first fence in the safety and security of this country.

Q: Qatari Gas has reached America and Europe but has not reached the Gulf states due to political rather than economic obstacles. Is it possible to see new reality of Gulf cooperation in the field of clean energy?

A: The arrival of natural resources, whether oil or gas bestowed by Allah Almighty on our nations, to world markets around the world is required. Each GCC state that exports petroleum or gas has its own economic studies and plans that aim at identifying viable markets for its exports in consuming countries, whether in the West or the East. The bilateral trade and exports among GCC states are subject to further economic and technical studies which are given a lot of attention by specialized committees within the GCC states. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia encourages commercial and economic cooperation among GCC states as well as the exchange of common interests that in turn benefit our countries, support cooperation among our peoples and preserve rights and interests of our countries.

Q: The region is witnessing tensions due to the Iranian nuclear file and in light of the escalation of the American- Iranian confrontation, how do you see the reflection of these tensions on GCC states?

A: Middle East region witnessed many years of wars and conflicts where their destructive effects were not limited to the region, but also to other regions of the world. In spite of wars witnessed by Arab Gulf region during the past three decades, the GCC states proved cohesion and strength under such unstable conditions. The positions of GCC states were clear as regards the need for working on defusing crisis and exerting all efforts to maintain peace and security in this region that is important for the entire world. The position of GCC states was also clear regarding the need to free the Middle East of weapons of mass destruction and there must be full commitment to international resolutions and international agreements to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons. The international community represented by the International Atomic Energy Agency established clear standards that differentiate between seeking the acquisition of the required technology for peaceful uses and seeking the acquisition of nuclear energy for other purposes. The GCC hoped to resolve the Iranian nuclear crisis peacefully.

Q: GCC states expressed their desire to possess peaceful nuclear energy. In your opinion, do you think that they are able to do so in light of the failure of a number of Gulf joint projects?

A: The decision of the GCC state leaders to possess peaceful nuclear technology in accordance with international regulations and standards is a legitimate right of GCC states to employ nuclear energy in supporting the march of progress and development in our counties at present and in future as well as to get benefit from it in our developmental projects and in our civil uses. The GCC states are not seeking through the possession of this technology for domination and threat, but to serve development. Therefore, the GCC Secretariat General requested the International Atomic Energy Agency to prepare a preliminary feasibility study of the uses of nuclear energy in accordance with international standards. This reflects the keenness of GCC states to benefit from nuclear energy in the field of peaceful uses such as electricity production and water desalination.

Q: Lebanese file is still open and the political conflict in Lebanon is still going on, how do you see a solution for this file?

A: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has been standing by Lebanon in all circumstances since its independence. The Kingdom's support for Lebanon during the civil war was clear. The Kingdom's efforts to stop bloodshed of Lebanese people resulted in Taif meeting which was an important reference for all Lebanese and was a solution to the crisis and war that destroyed political stability, economic prosperity and social coexistence among all Lebanese parties. Hence, we in the Kingdom are working to support reconciliation and agreement among Lebanese parties in order to avoid returning to civil war again. We also stand at the same distance from all parties and we do not interfere in Lebanese internal affairs. Our duty is to follow-up efforts aiming at solving Lebanese presidency crisis. The Arab League is doing its best to contribute to finding a solution to this crisis before the next Arab Summit. We call on Lebanese brothers to overcome the crisis and to maintain the unity and stability of Lebanon as well as to maintain dialogue and move away from anything that might divide them.

Q: At Beirut Summit, Arab countries adopted the initiative of King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz for peace, but the other party (Israel) actually rejected it. Can we expect a new Arab positions that keep abreast of Israeli reaction?

A: The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz has launched his historic initiative for peace in the Middle East which was adopted by Beirut Summit in 2002. This initiative represents his keenness to push the region to new prospects of peaceful coexistence based on the restoration of Arab historic rights, to end Arab-Israeli conflict and to achieve justice in the region. The initiative was characterized by its comprehensiveness of all issues. This initiative became the main title of all efforts being made to achieve peace in the Middle East. The Arab countries have made a significant and historic step in building their political agenda in accordance with this initiative which united Palestinian and Arab demands into one common voice that represents the position of All Arab countries. In spite of Israeli procrastination about peace in the region in accordance with this initiative, we are convinced that the Arab initiative will remain the political reference from which any negotiations between Arab and Israel parties shall start and end.

Q: Iraqi Prime Minister called for a long time on the Arab countries to return their ambassadors to his country. Can we expect the return of Saudi ambassador to Baghdad soon?

A: We in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, along with the brothers in GCC states, are most interest in the maintenance of security in Iraq and the return of normal life for Iraqi citizens. The Kingdom announced its desire to open its embassy in Baghdad and sent a delegation to assess the possibility of opening the embassy and to prepare for that. Allah willing, the embassy will be opened following the completion of regulatory procedures. We pray to Allah to grant all Iraqi parties success and to unite their voice so that they will come out of this crisis and that Iraq restores its position in the region and the international community.

Q: Saudi-Syrian disagreement escalates at the time of Arab summit to be held in Damascus. Do you expect a Saudi participation at the level of leadership at this summit? What are your aspirations of the Summit's success? What are the most prominent features of the files expected to be discussed at the summit?

A: Syria is a brotherly Arab country and we are bound by ties of brotherhood and determination. We are keen on reunifying and strengthening Arab solidarity. From this standpoint, we hope that the conditions are ripe for the success of the next Arab summit. The summit comes in critical circumstances with regard to the situation in Palestine and Lebanon. It is in the interest of Arab nation at large that this summit will achieve the desired success. I would like to emphasize that the policy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is the policy of brotherhood and exerting of all efforts to contain any difference and not to be dragged into any policy that might lead to weakening the Arab ranks. The policy of the Kingdom is unchanging and will not change. The Kingdom believes that the source of Arab nation strength lies in mutual respect among all states, without exception, and the commitment to Arab and international legitimacy of respecting the sovereignty of each Arab state and not interfering in their internal affairs.

Q: Palestinian people are under Israeli blockade and continuous military attacks, how do you see the way out of this crisis, particularly in light of the conditions of Palestinian internal division?

A: Israel's continuous military escalation and its aggressions against the unarmed Palestinian people and the killing of sons of Palestinian people will lead to missing and undermining any chance for peace. The current destruction, economic blockade, daily suppression practices and repeated military incursions carried out by Israel are a clear breach of the principles and values of international norms and a flagrant violation of human rights. These are not surprising acts by Israel which repeatedly attacked the steadfast Palestinian people for more than 60 years to enhance its survival as a state occupying and usurping Palestinian and Arab rights. Unfortunately, the split within the Palestinian ranks gave the opportunity for Israel to achieve some of its objectives through which it seeks to destroy all peace efforts in the region and to escape living up to the right of peace for the Palestinian people. The unity of Palestinian ranks is the first step to restore legitimate Palestinian rights and to move to a new stage to change the harsh reality faced by this people inside the Israeli siege. Therefore, they all have to start overcoming their differences and unite their ranks. We also call on the international community in particular the major countries at the Security Council to assume responsibility and work to stop this Israeli aggression and not to give Israel any excuse to continue its aggression.

Q: In the next few days, the Islamic Summit Conference will be held in Dakar. What are the summit's results that the Kingdom is looking forward to in light of the challenges witnessed by the current international situations?

A: The agenda of this summit is full of important topics, especially the Israeli continuous aggression against the Palestinian people as well as the situation in Iraq, Afghanistan and other hot spots in the Islamic world. The Summit will also work on ratifying the new charter of the Organization of Islamic Conference as well as strengthening and coordinating cooperation among Islamic countries in different political, economic, scientific, cultural and media fields. There is no doubt that Islamic peoples are looking forward to significant achievements in the long and short terms alike. We in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are confident that the efforts exerted in the framework of the Organization of Islamic Conference will achieve more coordination among the positions of Islamic countries and Islamic unity.