March 11, 2005

THE SAUDI LEADERSHIP DISCUSSES WITH AZERBAIJAN'S PRESIDENT THE BASES AND FUTURE OF COOPERATION AND THE DEVELOPMENTS ON THE ISLAMIC AND INTERNATIONAL ARENAS. THE PRESIDENT OF AZERBAIJAN: THE SUPPORT OF SAUDI ARABIA HELPED MY COUNTRY TO OVERCOME NUMEROUS CRISIS. WE SUPPORT THE CALL OF PRINCE ABDULLAH TO CONVENE AN ISLAMIC SUMMIT IN MAKKAH AL MUKKARAMAH. THE SIGNING OF ECONOMIC BETWEEN SAUDI ARABIA AND AZERBAIJAN. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd Ibn Abdul Aziz received at his office at Al Yamamah palace in Riyadh Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev and accompanying delegation. At the outset of the meeting, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques welcomed President Aliyev, wishing him a good stay in his second country: the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Then President Aliyev awarded the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Azerbaijan's Independence medal, the country's most prestigious honorary decoration, in recognition of the king's noble services for Islam and Muslims and his continuous support for the Republic of Azerbaijan. On his part, King Fahd decorated President Aliyev with King Abdul Aziz decoration in recognition of his efforts in enhancing the relations between the two countries. Then they discussed the overall situations at the Islamic and international arenas in addition to the aspects of cooperation between the two countries and ways of enhancing them in all fields. On the Saudi side, the meeting was attended by Prince Ahmed Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Minister of Interior; Prince Abdul Aziz Ibn Bandar Ibn Abdul Aziz, Assistant Chief of General Intelligence; Prince Abdul Aziz Ibn Fahd Ibn Abdul Aziz, Minister of State, Member of the Cabinet and Chief of the Court of the Cabinet's Presidency; Prince Faisal Ibn Turki Ibn Abdullah; ministers; senior protocol officials and Saudi Ambassador to Azerbaijan Ali bin Hasan Jaafar. On the Azerbaijani side, it was attended by the First Deputy of the Prime Minister Jacob Ayoobov; Foreign Minister Elmar Mohammed Yarov; Azerbaijan's Ambassador to the Kingdom Alman Arasli and senior officials. Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Deputy Prime Minister and Commander of the National Guard, and Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev held a meeting at the crown prince's palace in Riyadh. At the outset of the meeting, President Aliyev awarded the Crown Prince Azerbaijan's Independence medal, the country's most prestigious honorary decoration, in recognition of the Crown Prince's distinguished role in expanding the economic and cultural relations between the Kingdom and Azerbaijan. Aliyev also lauded the efforts of Crown Prince Abdullah for the service of Islam and Muslims all over the world. On his part, Crown Prince Abdullah thanked President Aliyev, praising the firm relations binding the two countries and peoples. Then they discussed the overall developments at the Islamic and international arenas in addition to the aspects of cooperation between the two countries and ways of enhancing them in all fields. On the Saudi side, the meeting was attended by Prince Mishaal Ibn Abdul Aziz; Prince Mit'eb Ibn Abdul Aziz, Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs; Prince Sattam Ibn Abdul Aziz, Vice Governor of Riyadh Region; Prince Abdul Aziz Ibn Fahd Ibn Abdul Aziz, Minister of State, Member of the Cabinet and Chief of the Court of the Cabinet's Presidency; ministers; senior protocol officials and Saudi Ambassador to Azerbaijan Ali Ibn Hasan Jaafar. On the Azerbaijani side, it was attended by the First Deputy of the Prime Minister Jacob Ayoobov; Foreign Minister Elmar Mohammed Yarov; Azerbaijan's Ambassador to the Kingdom Alman Arasli and senior officials. Crown Prince Abdullah and the Azeri President Ilham Aliyev held wide-ranging talks that focused on regional and international issues. Special areas of discussion were Saudi-Azeri cooperation in political, commercial and cultural fields. The talks were followed by the signing of three major agreements between Saudi Arabia and the Muslim-majority Azeri republic. President Aliyev, during his three-day official trip, witnessed the signing of an SR67.5 million loan agreement with the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD), said Azeri diplomat Naghi Jaabbarov. There are other agreements on boosting cooperation in education and investment protection. In the talks, the two leaders shared common views, visions and approaches on a number of bilateral and international issues. New developments in the Arab world including Syria and Iraq, the Middle East peace process, terrorism threats and the status of Azerbaijan's conflict with Armenia were high on the agenda. The talks comes within the framework of the mandate of an MoU signed by Riyadh and Baku early this year which calls for holding periodic political consultations. Azerbaijan seeks to develop ties with Saudi Arabia in the fields of economy, trade, tourism and health care. Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev, who witnessed the signing of two bilateral economic agreements, called for intensifying efforts to boost political, commercial and cultural relations with Saudi Arabia. The call was made during his meeting with Saudi businessmen at the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) following his talks with Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd, Crown Prince Abdullah and a host of Saudi officials. Aliyev said that "Baku is looking to Saudi Arabia to support its regional interests politically and commercially". He reiterated that "the Kingdom is, in fact, supporting the Azeri position, at a time when we have been wrestling with a geopolitical dilemma created because of the conflict with Armenia". The Azeri leader witnessed the signing of an investment protection agreement prior to his meeting at RCCI. Another agreement for SR67.5 million credit line facility granted by Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) to Azerbaijan was also signed in the presence of the president. On behalf of Saudi Arabia, the accords were inked by Finance Minister Dr. Ibrahim Al-Assaf. Later, Aliyev participated in the RCCI meeting, which was also attended by Minister of Commerce and Industry Dr. Hashim Abdullah Yamani. Azeri diplomat Naghi Jaabbarov said that "two credit agreements will also be signed by the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) and Azerbaijan in Jeddah". IDB has agreed to grant $10.4 million credit facility for a road construction project and another $10.1 million credit for a tunnel project in that former Soviet republic. Referring to the progressively growing Riyadh-Baku relations following the meeting of businessmen at RCCI, Saad ibn Ibrahim Al-Mojel, RCCI's vice chairman, said that "the two sides are discussing as how to set up direct transportation links between the two countries. There is neither a direct flight to Baku nor a port in the Azeri capital, which are hampering our business plans and relations". "President Aliyev has promised to look into the possibility of setting set up direct air link to boost tourism and pilgrimage traffic", he said. Al-Mojel said that "there is a lot of potential to forge closer relations in all sectors". He said that "the Armenian problem and the geopolitical dilemma with which Azerbaijan is faced with will not discourage the Saudi leaders and businessmen". Jaabbarov said that the funds will be used for building and expanding infrastructure in that country. Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev has reaffirmed the strength of Saudi-Azeri relationships indicating that his current visit is part of the constant efforts aimed at enhancing the bilateral trade exchange and developing economic ties. In an interview with Saudi Television, President Aliyev praised the Saudi, to his country which helped in overcoming numerous crises. He said his talks with Saudi leadership had focused on the bilateral relations, adding that these talks had been "highly successful." He pointed out that the political relations with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are at high levels but the economic ones are not at par with those of the political ties. "There is a government joint committee which has been working for years to enhance the economic and trade ties and this committee is now working to study and analyze these facilities and opportunities," Aliyev said. "In my point of view, the opening of direct flights between the two countries will help in strengthening the economic ties," he added. Answering a question about the call of Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Deputy Prime Minister and Commander of the National Guard, to convene an Islamic Summit in Makkah, Aliyev said that the main thing which concern him is the negative social opinion about Islam in addition to wars and conflicts inside Muslim countries. "We support this call which will discuss many issues and may handle a program for future activities and procedures to confront these challenges," Aliyev said. Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Deputy Prime Minister and Commander of the National Guard, gave a banquet in honor of Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev and accompanying delegation. The function was attended by Prince Mishaal Ibn Abdul Aziz; Prince Mit'eb Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs; Prince Sattam Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Vice Governor of Riyadh Region; other princes; ministers and senior civil and military officials. Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Riyadh for a visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. At Riyadh air base, he was received by Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Deputy Prime Minister and Commander of the National Guard; Prince Mit'eb Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs; Prince Sattam Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Vice Governor of Riyadh Region; Prince Khalid Ibn Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, Assistant Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General for Military Affairs; Prince Abdul Aziz Ibn Fahd Ibn Abdul Aziz, Assistant Chief of General Intelligence; Prince Abdul Aziz Ibn Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, Advisor at the Crown Prince's Court; Prince Dr. Abdul Aziz Ibn Mohammed Ibn Ayyaf Al Miqrin, Mayor of the city of Riyadh; Dr. Hashim Ibn Abdullah Yamani, Minister of Commerce and Industry; senior protocol officials and Azerbaijan's Ambassador to the Kingdom Alman Hamied Arasli. Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev met with members of board of directors of Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and a number of Saudi Businessmen. Addressing the meeting, Azerbaijan's President commended the strong relations between the two countries especially in economic and investment fields. Dr Salih Al-Namlah, the Undersecretary of the Culture and Information Ministry for Foreign Information, met with a delegation comprising a number of Azerbaijani media men. They reviewed, at the meeting attended by Saudi ambassador to Azerbaijan Ali Hassan Jaffar, aspects of information cooperation between the Kingdom and Azerbaijan. Meanwhile, the members of the delegation who were briefed on the development achievements attained in the Kingdom in the various domains, highlighted the great services being extended by the Kingdom to Islam and Muslims throughout the world. Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev left Riyadh for Jeddah on his way to Makkah to perform Umrah rituals. At Riyadh airbase, he was seen off by Prince Sattam Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Governor of Riyadh region, a number princes and senior officials. Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev and his accompanying delegation performed Umrah rituals. Upon arrival at the Grand Mosque, they were received by a number of officials. Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Jeddah to perform Umrah rituals. He was received at King Abdul Aziz international airport by Prince Mishaal Ibn Majed Ibn Abdul Aziz, Governor of Jeddah and a number of officials. Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev visited the headquarters of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) in Jeddah. During the visit, he expressed his country's support to Islamic issues praising the steps of reforms undertaken by the OIC to develop its performance. He also hailed the OIC's role to strengthening the economic and technological cooperation between member states. Aliyev was accompanied by Minister of Commerce and Industry Hashem Yamani, who is also the Escorting Minister. Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev left the Kingdom after a brief visit to Saudi Arabia. At Prince Mohammad Ibn Abdul Aziz Airport in Al Madinah Al Munawarrah, he was seen off by Dr. Hashim Yamani, Minister of Commerce and Industry, and senior civil and military officials.