Ain-Al-Yaqeen - May 5, 2006

		May 5, 2006

THE CUSTODIAN OF THE TWO HOLY MOSQUES REVIEWS WITH THE GREEK PRESIDENT BILATERAL RELATIONS AND THE DEVELOPMENTS ON THE REGIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL ARENAS.
SAUDI ARABIA AND GREECE SIGN AN AGREEMENT ON THE AVOIDANCE OF DUAL TAXATION ON INCOME YIELDED FROM AIRCRAFT OPERATION ON INTERNATIONAL TRANSPORTATION.
KING ABDULLAH REVIEWS WITH THE INDONESIAN PRESIDENT THE DEVELOPMENTS ON THE ISLAMIC AND INTERNATIONAL ARENAS.

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz and Greece' s President Karolos Papoulias held a session of talks.

At the outset of the meeting, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques welcomed the President, wishing him and the accompanying delegation a good stay in the kingdom.

On his part, the Greek president thanked the king for the warm welcome and generous hospitality accorded to him and the accompanying delegation.

Later, King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz presented a medal to the Greek President as a mark of friendship between Saudi Arabia and Greece. In turn, the Greek President conferred on the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz the Grand Cross of the Order Redeemer, for his outstanding services. It is the highest award given by the Greek government to its nationals and distinguished foreign friends.

During the talks, they discussed the latest developments at the regional and international arenas topped by the Palestinian issue and the situation in Iraq. Aspects of cooperation and ways of their enhancement in all fields were also reviewed. The two leaders also discussed expanding bilateral relations.

On the Saudi side, the meeting was attended by Crown Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Premier, Minister of Defence and Aviation and Inspector General: Prince Abdul Rahman Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General: Prince Miteb, minister of municipal and rural affairs, Interior Minister Prince Naif and Riyadh Governor Prince Salman also attended the talks.a number of princes: ministers and senior officials.

On the Greek side, it was attended by Minister of Development Demetris Sioufas, Minister of Merchant Marine Manolis Kefaloyiannis and other officials.

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz Al Saud held a dinner party at his palace in Riyadh in honor of visiting president of Greece Karolos Papoulias and the accompanying delegation.

The party was attended by Crown Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Premier, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General; Prince Abdul Rahman Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General; Prince Fahd Ibn Mohammed Ibn Abdul Aziz; Prince Mit'eb Ibn Abdul Aziz, Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs; a number of princes; ministers; and senior civil and military officials.

Greece's President Karolos Papoulias arrived in Riyadh on a two-day official visit to the Kingdom.

At Riyadh Airbase Airport, the President was received by The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz; Crown Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Premier, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General; Prince Abdul Rahman Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General; a number of princes; ministers and senior officials.

The Greek President was accompanied by Minister of Development Demetris Sioufas, Minister of Merchant Marine Manolis Kefaloyiannis and other officials.

In the presence of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz and Greece' s President Karolos Papoulias, an agreement was signed between the governments of the two countries on avoidance of dual taxation on income yielded from aircraft operation on international transportation.

Following the signing ceremony, they exchanged the signed copies and greeted the Monarch and the Greek President.

The agreement was signed by Finance Minister Dr. Ibrahim Al-Assaf and Greek Development Minister Dimitrios Sioufas in the presence of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah and Greek President Karolos Papoulias.

The ceremony was attended by the official delegations of the two countries.

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah and Crown Prince Sultan gave a red carpet welcome to Greek President Karolos Papoulias, who arrived in the Kingdom on his first visit to the region.

Diplomats said Papoulias' talks with King Abdullah focused on major regional issues, including the situation in Iraq and the Middle East peace process as well as ways of strengthening bilateral cooperation. The Saudi-Greek summit talks in Riyadh also covered efforts to combat terrorism and Iran's uranium enrichment program.

In press comments published, Papoulias said Saudi Arabia and his country enjoy deep-rooted relations that date back decades. He pointed out that the two countries held identical views on all major international issues.

Greek President Karolos Papoulias has highlighted the existing deep-rooted Saudi-Greek relations and said these ties date back to centuries.

In a statement, published by the Riyadh-based Al-Riyadh Arabic newspaper, the Greek President said his talks with the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz will cover issues of mutual interest including bilateral relations as well as the latest developments in the Middle East, the Palestinian problem, means of fighting terrorism and the current situation in Iraq.

Referring to the free trade agreement, signed by the European Union and the member states of the Arab Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), he said the agreement would positively contribute to further cementing political and trade relations between the two sides.

Papoulias, 75, is a former Greek foreign minister who was a member of Parliament for 20 years. He became the country's president in February 2005. The president, who flew in by a special aircraft, was leading a 104-member delegation.

The President also attended a reception hosted by Greek Ambassador Ioannis Economou at the Greek Embassy here. More than 300 members of the Greek community attended. They met and greeted their president and his accompanying officials at the reception.

President Papoulias told his community members that he was happy to see them here in large numbers.

"I have come here to strengthen the relations between the two countries by laying emphasis on economic cooperation," he told his countrymen.

Greek's imports from the Kingdom are estimated at $1 billion, while its exports to Saudi Arabia are valued at $50 million. In November the two countries agreed to set up a joint business council to facilitate the flow of information on trade.

The President attended a session of the Shoura Council and held talks with members of the Saudi-Greek Parliamentary Friendship Society in Saudi Arabia. He visited the King Abdul Aziz Historical Center and thereafter attended a luncheon hosted by Crown Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz before leaving for Doha in the late afternoon. He also visited Manama during this tour of the Gulf region.

Papoulias referred to the years of relations between the two countries. "We have many things in common and have contributed to the development of humanity."

In his remarks in the Visitors' Book of the Shoura Council, the President commended the services of the council and described its composition as a body of distinguished men dedicated to serving the country.

Ambassador Economou said the visit would boost the existing relations.

"Systematic cooperation is required in order to explore and exploit new avenues and to promote joint initiatives in an increasing number of fields, so that the bilateral relations can further evolve for the benefit of the two countries," said the ambassador.

The Greek President ended his two-day visit to the Kingdom. He was seen off by Health Minister Dr. Hamad Al-Manie and senior officials.

Papoulias and his delegation visited the King Abdul Aziz Historical Center where they were welcomed by Riyadh Governor Prince Salman and Prince Sultan ibn Salman, secretary-general of the Supreme Commission for Tourism (SCT). The Greek President was briefed on the role and activities of the center which showcases the antiquities, manuscripts and documents pertaining to the history of the Arabian Peninsula in general and the Kingdom in particular.

Dr. Tros Doukas, deputy minister of finance, and Greek businessmen held talks with Amr Al-Dabbagh, chairman of the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA), on possible investments and joint ventures.

On the other hand a delegation of the Shoura (Consultative) Council will participate in the 14th meeting of the International Parliamentary Union (IPU), due be hosted by Kenya on May 7-12, 2006.

The meeting will be attended by representatives of 143 parliaments. Saleh Al-Ali, the assistant chairman of the Shoura Council, said the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is keen on participating in regional and international institutions.

He noted that the participants of the meeting will review a number of current international topics including political, economic and social issues.

Al-Ali pointed out that a number of Saudi academicians will be accompanying the Saudi delegation to the meeting.

On the other hand the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz and Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono co-chaired the official Saudi-Indonesian talks.

King Abdullah adorned the Indonesian President with King Abdul Aziz Medal which is a tradition to honor every King or President of friendly countries, who visit the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

On his part, the Indonesian President adorned King Abdullah with the Medal of "Adi -Borna" of the excellent class, which is the highest medal in Indonesia.

During the official talks, King Abdullah and President Yudhoyono reviewed bilateral relations and the latest developments at Islamic and international arenas.

On the Saudi side the officials talks were attended by Crown Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Deputy Prime Minister, Defense and Aviation Minister and Inspector General; Prince Abdul Rahman Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Deputy Minister of Defense and Aviation; Prince Miteb Ibn Abdul Aziz, the minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs; Prince Salman Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Governor of Riyadh region; Prince Sattam Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Vice-Governor of Riyadh region; Dr Fu'ad al-Faresi, the minister of Hajj, and Dr Nizar Madani, the minister of state for foreign affairs.

On the Indonesian side, the talks were attended by ministers of foreign affairs; economic affairs; energy and mineral resources; trade; manpower and immigration and religious affairs as well as other senior officials.

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz Al Saud held a dinner party at his palace in Riyadh in honor of the president of Indonesia Dr. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and accompanying delegation.

The function was attended by Crown Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General; Prince Abdul Rahman Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General; Prince Fahd Ibn Mohammed Ibn Abdul Aziz; Prince Mit'eb Ibn Abdul Aziz, Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs; Prince Salman Ibn Abdul Aziz, Governor of Riyadh Region: Prince Sattam Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Governor of Riyadh region, princes, ministers, and senior civil and military officials.

President of Indonesia Dr. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono arrived in Riyadh on a several day state visit to the Kingdom.

He was received at Riyadh air base by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz Al Saud; Crown Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General; Prince Mit'eb Ibn Abdul Aziz, Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs; Prince Naif Ibn Abdul Aziz, Minister of Interior; Prince Salman Ibn Abdul Aziz, Governor of Riyadh Region; Prince Saud Al-Faisal, Minister of Foreign Affairs; Prince Sattam Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Governor of Riyadh Region; Prince Faisal Ibn Abdullah Ibn Mohammed Al Saud, Assistant Chief of General Intelligence; Prince Mohammed Ibn Naif Ibn Abdul Aziz, Assistant Minister of Interior for Security Affairs; Prince Abdul Aziz Ibn Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, Advisor to the King; Prince Dr. Bandar Ibn Salman Ibn Mohammed Al Saud, Advisor to the King; ministers, senior civil and military officials and Indonesian Ambassador to the Kingdom Dr. Salih Saqaf Aljeffery. The Indonesian president was accompanied by a high-level official delegation.

Crown Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense and Aviation And Inspector General, held a luncheon party at his palace in Riyadh in honor of the Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and the accompanying delegation.

The function was attended by Prince Abdul Rahman Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General; Prince Mit'eb Ibn Abdul Aziz, Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs; Prince Naif Ibn Abdul Aziz, Minister of Interior; Prince Abdullah Ibn Mohammed Ibn Abdul Aziz Al Saud; Prince Salman Ibn Abdul Aziz, Governor of Riyadh Region; Prince Sattam Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Governor of Riyadh Region; Prince Khalid Ibn Abdullah Ibn Mohammed; Prince Khalid Ibn Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, Assistant Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General For Military Affairs, other princes, ministers and senior civil and military officials.

On the Indonesian side, the function was attended by the president's accompanying delegation and Indonesian ambassador to the kingdom Salim Saqaf Aljeffry.

Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and the accompanying delegation visited Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University.

A speech ceremony was held on the occasion. In his speech, the Indonesian President praised the university as a model for Muslims' great interest in knowledge and hailed Saudi-Indonesian close relations.

Visiting Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono attended the Saudi - Indonesian business forum, which was held at the headquarters of the Saudi chambers of commerce and industry in Riyadh.

Addressing the forum, chairman of the Saudi chambers of commerce and industry Abdul Rahman Al Jeraisi said this meeting is a follow-up of the continuing dialogue between Saudi and Indonesian businessmen to improve the investment and commercial relations between the peoples of the two countries, noting that the total trade between the two countries stood at $2.38 billion in 2004.

On his part, the president said Saudi Arabia stands in the heartland of the Islamic world, while Indonesia is home to the world's largest Muslim population. And both countries are striving to modernize, to carry out meaningful social reforms. Hence, we ought to cooperate to achieve developing firm ties.

He added that we have a long tradition of solidarity. On various occasions when Indonesia was in difficulties, Saudi Arabia was among the first of our friends to come to our aid. And we have similar views on many regional international issues.

He said in 2004, Saudi Arabia was the biggest country that invested in Indonesia with total value of us$3.02 billion including 35 projects in several sectors such as energy, oil and gas, metal, chemical industry, hotels, restaurants, real estate, and other sectors. In 2005, Saudi Arabia's investment reached the amount of $2.1 billion.

He added that Indonesian investors in Saudi Arabia are there not only to tap the sizable Saudi market but also by the wider GCC market. Likewise, Saudi investors can take advantage of the Asean free trade area , using Indonesia as gateway to this vast market of half a billion people.

The president said Indonesian businessmen can play a role in the development of your oil and gas infrastructure by providing construction equipment and materials as well as services.

In conclusion, he expressed readiness of his government to facilitate resolution of any problem and to promote any opportunity that will emerge in this ongoing growth to our economic relations.

We see your accession to the WTO as important component of your economic program and we fully support it, he said.

The forum was attended by Dr. Fu'ad Ibn Abdul Salam Al Farsi, the Minister of Hajj, and Indonesian ambassador to the kingdom Dr. Salim Saqaf Aljeffery, members of the Saudi chambers of commerce and industry, and a number of businessmen.

Visiting Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono received at his guest residence at the conferences palace in Riyadh Prince Al Waleed Ibn Talal Ibn Abdul Aziz, Chairman of the board of directors of the kingdom holding company.

During the meeting, they discussed a number of economic and investment issues.

Following the meeting, Prince Al Waleed told the Saudi Press Agency that he presented to the president the company's projects in Indonesia, including five hotels.

He highlighted the firmness and strength of the Saudi economy under the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Adbullah Ibn Abdul Aziz.

He considered the Indonesian president's visit a precious opportunity for the private sectors in the two countries to further boost economic cooperation.

The meeting was attended by the Indonesian president's accompanying delegation.

Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and his accompanying delegation left Riyadh for Makkah to perform Umra rituals.

They were seen off at Riyadh Airbase Airport by Riyadh Airbase Commander Mohammad bin Salem Al-Me'tani, members of Indonesian Embassy and a representative from the royal protocol.

President Yudhoyono was accompanied by Minister of Hajj Dr. Fuad Ibn Abdul Salam Al-Farsi and Indonesian Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Dr. Salem Saqqaf Al-Jefri.

Indonesian President Dr. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and his accompanying delegation arrived in Jeddah on his way to Makkah to perform Umrah rituals.

They were received at King Abdul Aziz International Airport by Prince Misha'al Ibn Majed Ibn Abdul Aziz, Governor of Jeddah; Director General of the Royal Protocol Office in Jeddah Mohammad Othman Nazir and Director General of King Abdul Aziz International Airport Eng. Mazen Khashuqji.

Indonesian President Dr. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and his accompanying delegation performed Umrah rituals in Makkah. He was received at the entrance of the Holy Mosque by officials in charge of the Haram affairs.

Indonesian President Dr. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and his accompanying delegation arrived in Madinah to visit the Prophet's Mosque, greet Prophet Mohammed (Peace Be Upon Him) and perform prayers.

At Prince Mohammed Ibn Abdul Aziz airport, he was received by Prince Abdul Aziz Ibn Majed Ibn Abdul Aziz, the governor of al-Madinah Al-Munawarah region, and senior civil and military officials.

Indonesian President Dr. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and his accompanying delegation paid a visit to the Prophet's Mosque, greeted Prophet Mohammed (Peace Be Upon Him) and performed prayers.

At the mosque's entrance, he was received by the mosque's senior officials.

Indonesian President Dr Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and the accompanying delegation left at the end of an official visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

He was seen off at Prince Mohammed Ibn Abdul Aziz Airport by Prince Abdul Aziz Ibn Majed Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Governor of Madinah region, and a number of senior officials.

The Netherlands and Saudi Arabia have been enjoying excellent diplomatic relationship over the years and this goes a long time back, according to Dutch Ambassador Nicolaas Beets.

Already in 1926, then Prince Faisal Ibn Abdul Aziz, who later became king, visited the Netherlands. Much earlier, a Dutch Consulate was established in Jeddah in 1872 to serve pilgrims from Indonesia and who had come for Umrah or Haj in Saudi Arabia.

Moreover, Dutch nationals obtained permission to settle in the Arabia Peninsula in 1614.

After the independence of Indonesia, the relations between the Netherlands and Saudi Arabia shifted away from pilgrimage issues to fostering bilateral and business relations.

Over the years, the friendship binding the two kingdoms has grown from strength to strength, with their officials visiting each other as if in continuation of a long tradition.

On May 16-17, a Dutch delegation from the water sector will visit Saudi Arabia, during which the former will share with the latter its own experience of more than 1,000 years of water management. As early as the year 1200, the so-called water boards were already established in the Netherlands.

These are still responsible for managing the country's water level with an ingenious system of dikes, locks, dams and pumping stations which aim to keep the country flood-free since much of it lies below sea-level.

The Kingdom's water sector will require SR200 billion ($53 billion) in investments by the year 2000 to keep up with the Kingdom's growing consumption.

Recently, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economic Affairs Laurens Jan Brinkhorst visited Saudi Arabia. At the same time a delegation from the province of Limburg and SABIC-Europe was in Riyadh, including Leon Frissen, the Queen's commissioner for the province of Limburg and Jean Broncker, mayor of the City of Sittard-Geleen.

Deputy Prime Minister Brinkhorst visited the headquarters of the Saudi Arabian Basic Industries Corp. (SABIC) and was received by Prince Saud ibn Abdullah ibn Thunayan Al- Saud, chairman of the Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu and SABIC chairman.

The delegation was briefed on SABIC's strategies and future plans to develop its national contributions and strengthen its competitive capabilities in global markets, including future investments in the Netherlands.

Moreover, Dutch Foreign Minister Barnard Bot also visited the Kingdom last February and met with his local counterpart, Prince Saud Al-Faisal, and other Saudi officials.

In April 2004, Foreign Trade Minister Karien van Gennip also came for a visit at the invitation of the Saudi government and held talks with local officials on bilateral trade and other issues of mutual interests.

In March 2006, Saudi Deputy Minister for Higher Education Abdullah Al-Moyel also visited the Netherlands to meet his counterpart, make a tour of educational facilities and explore the opportunities for a student exchange program.

In the trade sector, bilateral trade touches almost $3 billion, according to Rob Dekker, head of economic and commercial affairs at the Royal Netherlands Embassy in Riyadh.

"Saudi Arabia is the biggest export market for Netherlands in the Middle East. The most recent statistics show that the Netherlands was the 13th largest exporter to the Kingdom in 2004," he said.

Moreover, according to the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA), the Netherlands was the fourth biggest investor in Saudi Arabia in 2005.

Dutch firms' export products to the Kingdom through some 200 local companies and there are some 30 Dutch-Saudi joint ventures. These include well-known companies such as Saudi Hollandi Bank, Shell Saudi Arabia, among others.

Saudi Hollandi Bank, which is the first bank in the Kingdom, is now a joint venture firm between the Dutch banking firm ABN AMRO, and Saudi investors. Only last week, it celebrated its 80th anniversary. Shell has also been in the Kingdom for many years and is involved in the refining, marketing operations and petrochemicals.

The companies of Shell in Saudi Arabia include the Shell Overseas Services Ltd. Saudi Arabia, Middle East and Central Asian States, Shell Arabia Car Services Ltd., Al Jomaih & Shell Lubricating Oil Company Ltd., South Rub Al-Khali Company Ltd., Saudi Aramco Shell Refinery Company, Saudi Arabia Markets & Shell Lubricants Company Ltd., Peninsular Aviation Services Company, and Shell Global Solutions.

Shell and Saudi Aramco are partners in a Jubail refinery. Saudi Aramco is the world's number one exporter of crude oil with Western Europe as an important market, with Holland as its center of operations. Both Aramco and SABIC have their European headquarters in Holland.

SABIC is a large investor in the Dutch petrochemical industry. SABIC is the largest public company in the Middle East, ranked by market capitalization (more than $5.1 billion), and one of the world's 10 largest petrochemicals manufacturers. The company is among the world's market leaders in the production of polyethylene, polypropylene, glycols, methanol, MTBE, and fertilizers as well as the fourth largest polymer producer.

Its profit rose to a record SR19.2 billion ($5.1 billion) in 2005, up 35 percent compared to the previous year and the company's highest profit since its inception. Sales revenues for 2005 totaled SR78.3 billion ($20.8 billion), making SABIC the largest and most profitable public company in the Middle East.