July 28, 2006

THE FRENCH PRESIDENT JACQUES CHIRAC RECEIVES CROWN PRINCE SULTAN IBN ABDUL AZIZ FOR THE THIRD TIME. CHIRAC AND THE CROWN PRINCE SIGN A MILITARY COOPERATION AGREEMENT. A JOINT SAUDI-FRENCH COMMUNIQUÉ CALLS UPON ALL PARTIES TO SHOULDER THEIR RESPONSIBILITY AND TO AVOID ESCALATION OF VIOLENCE AS WELL AS RESPECT OF INTERNATIONAL LAW, PEACE AND SECURITY OF NATIONS. A SAUDI-FRENCH CALL FOR AN IMMEDIATE CEASEFIRE AND THE REVIVAL OF THE ROAD MAP AND THE ARAB PEACE INITIATIVE ANNOUNCED BY THE CUSTODIAN OF THE TWO HOLY MOSQUES KING ABDULLAH IBN ABDUL AZIZ. THE CROWN PRINCE REVIEWS WITH THE FRENCH MINISTER OF DEFENCE WAYS OF STOPPING THE WAR ON LEBANON AND REVIEWS WITH ARAB AMBASSADORS THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS AT THE ARAB ARENA. French President Jacques Chirac received for the third time Crown Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence and Aviation and Inspector General. They reviewed the latest developments at the international arena, notably the continuous Israeli aggressions on Lebanon and the on-going international efforts to end these offensives. Later, Crown Prince Sultan and Chirac signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for Defence cooperation between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and France. A technical supplement for cooperation and military support agreement, signed on 9/10/1982, between Saudi Arabia and France, was also signed. Crown Prince Sultan signed on behalf of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, while French Minister of Defence Michele Alliot-Marie signed on behalf of her country. Later Crown Prince Sultan graced the tea party hosted by Chirac in his honour. The ceremony of signing the two accords was attended by Crown Prince Sultan's accompanying delegation, and a number of Princes and high-ranking French officials. Crown Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence and Aviation and Inspector General, met at his guest residence with French Defence Minister Michele Alliot-Marie. During the meeting, they discussed the latest developments in the Middle East as a result of Israel's escalating aggression against Lebanon; the situations in the Palestinian territories; the deterioration of security situations in Iraq and the stands of the two countries towards them; international efforts to stop the Israeli aggression against Lebanon; and the call of the two countries for deployment of international troops on Lebanese-Israeli border. They also reviewed bilateral relations and ways of their enhancement in all fields. Then the Crown Prince and the French Defence Minister exchanged memorial gifts. The meeting was attended by Prince Saud Al-Faisal, the Foreign Minister; Prince General Miteb Ibn Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, Assistant Deputy Commander of the National Guard for Military Affairs; Dr. Musaed Ibn Mohammed Al-Eiban, Minister of State and Cabinet's Member; Khalid Ibn Mohammed Al-Qusaibi, Minister of Economy and Planning; Mohammed Ibn Salim Al-Mari, Special Secretary to the Crown Prince; and Saudi Ambassador to France Dr. Mohammed Ibn Ismael Al Al-Sheikh. On the French side, it was attended by France's Ambassador to the Kingdom Charles d'Aragon and a number of officials. Within the framework of bonds of strong friendship and close cooperation between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and France, and the keenness of the leaderships of the two countries on enhancing bilateral relations between the two countries, Crown Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence and Aviation and Inspector General, paid an official visit to France from July 19 to 22, 2006, in response to an invitation from French President Jacques Chirac, said the joint Saudi-French communique, issued in Paris at the end of the visit of Crown Prince Sultan to France. In Paris, Crown Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz met Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin, Defence Minister Michele Alliot-Marie, and the Speaker of the National Assembly. During the visit, issues pertaining to the bilateral relations between the Kingdom and France were reviewed, and the important outcome of the visit of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz to France in 2005 as well as the visit of President Jacques Chirac to the Kingdom last march and the positive impact of these two visits on the strategic partnership between the two countries. The two sides exchanged views on issues of mutual interest at the regional and international arenas in a manner that positively contributes to enhancing the pillars of global security and stability. The two countries reviewed the recent events in the Middle East, notably in Lebanon and the Palestinian territories, and condemned the violence which targeted the civilians, properties and infrastructure installations in a flagrant violation to the international and human laws. The two sides called for immediate ceasefire and work for the revival of the peace plans like the road map and the Arab peace initiative announced by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz and approved by the 14th Arab Summit in Beirut in 2002. The two countries reiterated the importance of exerting efforts to ensure the safety and unity of the Iraqi territories, restoration of stability and avoiding sectarianism, and interference in the domestic affairs in coordination with the neighbouring countries and all other concerned ones. In the light of the belief of the two sides that the political solution is the only way for enhancing the pillars of stability in the region, they call all parties to shoulder their responsibility and to avoid escalation of violence as well as respect the international law, peace and security of nations. The two sides condemned all forms of terrorism, and reiterated the importance of international cooperation and coordination to combat it, as well as the role of the UN in this respect. Crown Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence and Aviation and Inspector General, met with Arab accredited ambassadors to France. Crown Prince Sultan reviewed with them the latest developments at the Arab arena, notably the Israeli aggression on Lebanon and Palestine. He said that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia had clearly expressed its stand in this respect. The Crown Prince made it clear that the Kingdom will spare no effort for the containment of the crisis facing the region, and will urge the international community to shoulder its responsibility in this respect and work for ending this flagrant Israeli aggression. He reiterated the Kingdom's absolute support to the Lebanese government and the national Palestinian authority. The Crown Prince also underlined the importance of preservation of Iraq's unity and independence, and hoped that the ongoing efforts to realize national reconciliation in Iraq would be culminated into success. Crown Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Deputy Prime Minister, Defence and Aviation Minister and Inspector General, received at his guest residence Director General of United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Kochiro Matsura. Matsura presented the Crown Prince with a golden medal '' Avi Sina Golden Medal for Service of Culture.'' The Crown Prince expressed his appreciation of UNESCO's great efforts, wishing it all success and progress. He noted that the Kingdom has been keen on continual support for the organization over the past decades and years and in the future. Through a deep insight of late King Abdul Aziz into educational, cultural, scientific and information fields, the Kingdom was among the founders of the organization 60 years ago, the Crown Prince added. He expressed his thanks to UNESCO director for honouring him which is in honour of the Kingdom. Emanating from the directives of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz and in continuation of the Kingdom's support for UNESCO, I announced my donation of $ 1 million to the organization for supporting the presence of Arabic in the organization's various activities for the enhancement of the Arabic electronic website and translation of researches, books, sessions, meetings and field reports for the benefit of Arab member states in the organization in educational, cultural and scientific fields. The audience was attended by Prince Saud Al-Faisal, the Foreign Minister; Prince Khalid Ibn Fahd Ibn Khalid; Prince Khalid Ibn Saad; Prince General Miteb Ibn Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, Assistant Deputy Commander of the National Guard for Military Affairs; a number of princes, ministers and officials. Crown Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Deputy Prime Minister, Defence and Aviation Minister and Inspector General, received editors-in-chief of Saudi newspapers and members of the Saudi media delegation, accompanying him during his visit to France. The Crown Prince highlighted the distinguished efforts exerted by the editors-in-chief for projecting the Saudi audio-visual media. He urged the editors-in-chief and all persons working in the media sphere to be accurate and objective. The Crown Prince clarified the Kingdom's stand vis-a-vis the Arab and Muslim problems, notably the current situation in Lebanon and Palestine. He noted that the Kingdom will spare no effort for ending the Israeli aggression. The Crown Prince underlined the role that could be played by France to end the Israeli aggression. He lauded the stand of France towards Arab causes, and said Saudi-French relations are founded on the basis of mutual respect. The meeting was attended by a number of princes and senior officials. Crown Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Prime Minister, Defence and Aviation Minister and Inspector General, left France after an official visit at an invitation extended to him by French President Jacques Chirac. Crown Prince Sultan was seen off by Prince Mohammad Ibn Faisal Ibn Turki, the Head of the European Union Administration at the Foreign Ministry; Prince Misha'al Ibn Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, Plenipotentiary Ambassador at Foreign Minister's office; French Minister of Health & Solidarity Renaud Donnedieu de Vabres, Saudi Ambassador to France Dr. Mohammad Ibn Ismael Al Al-Sheikh, French Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Charles-Henri d'Aragon and a number of Princes and senior French officials. Crown Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Prime Minister, Defence and Aviation Minister and Inspector General sent a cable of thanks to French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin. In his cable, the Crown Prince said that upon our departure from your friendly country, we express our thanks to and appreciation of you and your government for a warm welcome and generous hospitality accorded to him and the accompanying delegation. The Crown Prince commended the cordial talks held with the French Prime Minister and his keenness on supporting and enhancing cooperation and partnership between the two countries and their friendly peoples to which the government of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz has paid full attention and care. The Crown Prince wished the Prime Minister, his government and friendly people of France steady progress and prosperity. Crown Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence and Aviation and Inspector General paid a visit to Prince Mishaal Ibn Abdul Aziz at his residence in Geneva. The Crown Prince was reassured about Prince Mishaal's health and he conveyed to him the greetings of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, wishing him a continual good health and recovery. The meeting was attended by a number of princes. He was received by Prince Faisal Ibn Mishaal Ibn Abdul Aziz; Prince Turki Ibn Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, Assistant Minister of Culture and Information; a number of princes and the Saudi Ambassador To Switzerland Habib Shaheen. Crown Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence and Aviation and Inspector General arrived in Casablanca on a special visit to Morocco. At Casablanca Airport, the Crown Prince was received by Prince Rashid Ibn Al-Hassan II; Moroccan Officials and Saudi Ambassador to Morocco Dr. Mohammed Al-Bisher. Earlier, the Crown Prince left Geneva for Morocco. At Geneva airport, he was seen off by Prince Faisal Ibn Mishaal Ibn Abdul Aziz; Prince Turki Ibn Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, Assistant Minister of Culture and Information; a number of princes and Saudi Ambassador to Switzerland Habib Shaheen. Before leaving to France Crown Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence and Aviation and Inspector General received Minister of Water and Electricity Eng. Abdullah Ibn Abdul Rahman Al-Hussein and a number of the ministry's officials on the occasion of winning International Honoring Shield from World Desalination Organization by Saline Water Conversion Corporation and winning other international merits certificates. The Crown Prince commended the ministry's efforts in conservation of water, urging all to continue their constructive efforts in enlightening citizens and expatriates on the importance of preservation of water resources and conservation of their consumption. The Crown Prince also praised the advanced standards of citizens in various fields for winning certificates, prizes and shields by the ministry and its employees.