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December 15, 2006 |
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CROWN PRINCE SULTAN BIN ABDUL AZIZ REVIEWS WITH PAKISTAN'S PRIME MINISTER REGIONAL AND ISLAMIC ISSUES AND BILATERAL COOPERATION. PRINCE SULTAN: SAUDI ARABIA AND PAKISTAN HOLD IDENTICAL VIEWS ON MAJOR INTERNATIONAL ISSUES. PRIME MINISTER AZIZ: PAKISTAN IS A PEACEFUL COUNTRY AND WE BELIEVE THAT PEACE WILL BE ACHIEVED THROUGH POWER, NOT THROUGH WEAKNESS. THE CROWN PRINCE HOLDS A BANQUET FOR THE KING OF BAHRAIN AND PRESENTS TO HIM TWO ORIGINAL ARAB HORSES. PRINCE NAIF CALLS ON MUSLIMS TO FACE THE CAMPAIGNS AGAINST ISLAM. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz and visiting Pakistan's Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz held a meeting at the king's farm at Al-Janadriya in the north eastern outskirts of Riyadh. During the meeting, the overall incidents and developments at the Islamic and international arenas, notably the developments of the Palestinian issue and the situation in Iraq in addition to aspects of cooperation between the two countries and ways of enhancing them in all fields in a way that benefits the interests of the two countries and sisterly peoples were discussed. On the Saudi side, the meeting was attended by Prince Badr Bin Abdul Aziz, Deputy Commander of the National Guard; Prince Miqren Bin Abdul Aziz, Chief of General Intelligence; Abdul Mohsen Al-Akkas, Minister of Social Affairs; Adel Bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir, Advisor at the royal court; and Ali Bin Awwadh Al Aseeri, Saudi Ambassador to Pakistan. On the Pakistani side, the meeting was attended by Aaziz's official accompanying delegation and Pakistani Ambassador to the kingdom Shahid Karimullah. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz received at his farm at Al-Janadriya in the north eastern outskirts of Riyadh Pakistan's Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and accompanying delegation. At the outset of the audience, King Abdullah welcomed Shaukat Aziz in his second country the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, wishing him good stay. On his part, Aziz thanked the king for warm welcome and generous hospitality. He also conveyed to King Abdullah the greetings of President Pervez Musharraf of Pakistan. In turn, the Monarch sent his greetings to the President. Then the King held a dinner party in honour of the Pakistani Prime Minister and the accompanying delegation. The reception and banquet were attended by Prince Badr Bin Abdul Aziz, Deputy Commander of the National Guard; Prince Miqren Bin Abdul Aziz, Chief of General Intelligence; Prince Miteb Bin Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz, Assistant Deputy Commander of the National Guard for Military Affairs, other princes, ministers and senior civil and military officials. Crown Prince Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz, the Deputy Premier, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General held a luncheon at his farm in honor of Bahrain's King Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa and the accompanying delegation. Following the banquet, the Crown Prince presented to the Bahraini King two original Arab horses. The king expressed his great appreciation of the Crown Prince for the gift. The banquet was attended by a number of princes. King Hamad Bin Eisa Al-Khalifa of Bahrain left after participating in the 27th supreme council session of the member countries of the Arab Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). He was seen off at King Khaled International Airport by Crown Prince Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz, Deputy Premier, Defense and Aviation Minister and Inspector General, other princes and senior officials. Crown Prince Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz, the Deputy Premier, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General and Pakistani Premier Shawkat Aziz co-chaired a session of official talks between the two countries. During the session, the Crown Prince welcomed the Premier and stressed strength of Saudi Pakistani relations. In turn, the Pakistani Premier highlighted the strength of the relations and military cooperation with the kingdom in all fields and commended Saudi efforts to serve the Islamic Ummah (nation). The talks were attended by a number of princes and officials. Crown Prince Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz, the Deputy Premier, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General, commended the "fruitful cooperation" between the two countries. Prince Sultan also said that Saudi Arabia and Pakistan held identical views on major international issues. "We'll never forget Pakistan's cooperation with the Kingdom and we wish the Islamic country and its people every progress and stability," Crown Prince Sultan said while welcoming the premier and his delegation, who arrived on a four-day business visit to the Kingdom. "We are proud of our cooperation with Saudi Arabia," Aziz said. He emphasized Pakistan's efforts to promote world peace. "However, we believe that peace will be achieved through power, not through weakness," he said referring to Pakistan's efforts to strengthen its defense capabilities. Pakistan's nuclear and missile development programs were not meant for threatening anybody, Aziz said and praised Pakistani scientists for developing long-range missiles. The talks were attended by Interior Minister Prince Naif Bin Abdul Aziz and top Saudi officials. On arrival at the airport, the Pakistani Premier was received by Social Affairs Minister Abdul Mohsen Al-Akkas, Saudi Ambassador in Islamabad Ali Al-Aseeri, Pakistani Ambassador Shahid Karimullah and senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The visit is a follow-up to the visit of King Abdullah early this year and the subsequent visit of Crown Prince Sultan to Islamabad. Crown Prince Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz, the Deputy Premier, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General, held a luncheon in honour of Pakistani Premier Shawkat Aziz and the accompanying delegation. The luncheon was attended by a number of princes and officials. Prior to his meeting with the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, the Pakistani Premier attended the Saudi-Pak Investors' Forum, chaired by Finance and Economy Minister Ibrahim Al-Assaf. Focusing on Pakistan as an investment destination, Aziz said his country had an open-door policy under which foreign investors could reap rich profits in a safe environment. "My country is pursuing a policy of continuity, consistency. It has introduced a privatization law to provide legal cover to foreign investors." He pointed out that Pakistan had attracted $3.8 billion in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) which amounts to an annual growth of half a billion dollars. "The steady growth in the sector is due to the reform agenda pursued by the government," he said. Aziz said there were many investment possibilities in areas such as agriculture, information technology, power, banking and real estate. He said the Kingdom planned to hold an exhibition in Islamabad in March to promote its products and services in that market. "We hope the exhibition will help both Saudi and Pakistani businessmen to increase cooperation," he stressed. Noting the significant improvements made in the economy, particularly in the fields of poverty reduction, increase in per capita income and positive indicators in all major areas, Al-Assaf said political and strategic relations with Pakistan would be beneficial to both countries. "We have identical views on important regional and international issues. Therefore, we need to strengthen our bilateral relations." The finance minister said the Kingdom was willing to assist Pakistan in construction, tourism and other areas deemed to be viable. Trade between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia averages about $2.5 billion annually. Over $2 billion consists of Pakistan's oil and oil-related imports. The Kingdom has given licenses to 20 Pakistani companies to work under the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority. Referring to the economic situation in Pakistan, Aziz said the per capita income and credit ratings had increased in recent years. He also announced that Pakistanis living abroad would be able to purchase properties in various housing schemes in the country. "The Pakistan Embassy in Riyadh will set up a commercial section in Al Khobar to help Saudi businessmen in the Eastern Province explore investment opportunities in Pakistan," the premier said. Addressing Pakistani expatriates, Aziz said arrangements would be made to hire a legal firm to help distressed expatriates. "It is our duty to help our people who make important contributions to the country's financial well-being." On the other hand according to the directives of Crown Prince Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General the Prince Sultan eighth campaign for health care in Jazan continues. This was stated by the Director-General of Medical Services of the Armed Forces, Major General Kutab Bin Eid Al-Otaibi, who explained that the campaign, will continue to work for a week to follow up the medical services. For his part, Director of the medical services at the Department of Medicine, of the Armed Forces Brigadier General Eng Abdullah Bin Abdul Malek Al Al-Sheikh, said the campaign received, approximately 9900 cases and will provide medical services until the end of this week in implementation of the guidance Crown Prince Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz. Brigadier General Eng Abdullah Bin Abdul Malek Al Al-Sheikh thanked all government bodies, which helped in the success of the campaign and thanked the Crown Prince for extending the period of the campaign. Crown Prince Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz, Deputy Premier, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General, received the former US Secretary of Defense William Cohen and the accompanying delegation. The audience was attended by Ali Bin Ibrahim Al-Hadithi, Chief of Crown Prince's Court; and Mohammed bin Salem Al-Marri, Special Secretary to the Crown Prince. On the other hand on behalf of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud, Prince Naif Bin Abdul Aziz, the Minister of Interior, patronized the opening ceremony of the 2nd Islamic Conference For Environment at Jeddah conference palace. Upon arrival at the venue, Prince Naif was received by Prince Turki Bin Nasser Bin Abdul Aziz, President of Meteorology and Environment Protection, Dr. Abdul Aziz Bin Othman Al-Tuwaijri, Director General of the Islamic Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ISESCO) and a number of officials. Addressing the gathering, Prince Turki Bin Nasser underlined the risks facing the human and material environment due to expansion of unbalanced use of nature, noting the flagrant breach of mankind of natural systems. He disclosed that the kingdom of Saudi Arabia has established an environment information center which could serve as a nuclear of the proposed Islamic environment data base center. He also unveiled news of the transmission of the first specialized satellite channel concerned of environment affairs set up by the Saudi private sector. Addressing the conferees on behalf of King Abdullah, Prince Naif recalled the Islamic perspective on the use of earth's rich nature to the benefit of mankind, calling for better preservation of nature and good use of it for the sake of future generations. He drew the attention to the current misuse of environment and nature, calling for prompt effective measures to cope with such problems and achieve a constant environmental security according to Islamic beliefs. Prince Naif called on the participants to forge effective plans to keep the entire environment intact. The event was attended by Prince Mishaal Bin Majed Bin Abdul Aziz, governor of Jeddah province; Prince Nawaf Bin Naif Bin Abdul Aziz; And Abdul Rahman Al-Jammaz, special advisor to the minister of interior. Prince Naif bin Abdul Aziz, the Minister of Interior has assured that the Islamic States are capable of building an appropriate strategic environment plan. "The Islamic world has human capacities and great potential in this area which will make them pioneers in the whole world to preserve the environment." In a press conference held following patronizing on behalf of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah Bin Al-Aziz, the opening ceremony of the second Conference of Ministers of the Environment of Islamic States, Prince Naif said the Ministries of Interior in the Islamic States are acting as execution bodies and seeking the implementation of any decisions undertaken by the environment authorities towards the environmental infringements. "They will spare no effort to pursue their mission." Prince Naif pointed to the Kingdom's intention to introduce Environmental issues in schools and universities along with a number of televised symposia aiming to spread environmental awareness. With regard to the Adoption of the joint program of nuclear technology, Prince Naif said "This is a sensitive issue, but time is very important. There must be a role in GCC states on this matter for peaceful purposes and what has been approved in Jaber Summit is very clear regarding this issue. We hope that the role of the GCC states be positive rather than negative to serve people, not kill them." In response to a question about the sectarian conflicts in Lebanon and Iraq and the possibility of transfer of the impact of these conflicts to the holy places, Prince Naif said "The transference! We are not worried about it. Everyone comes here to perform Hajj rituals and I think faith in Allah and fearing Him would act as a deterrent. We have taken every security precaution to respond to any event we are in, with full readiness. And, we hope we do not need to use our capacities in this matter. We insist on having a Peaceful Hajj season, with all pilgrims performing their rituals in tranquillity and peace as well as return home with (Allah's) rewards and in safety." Asked when the disclosure of the names will take place for the 139 persons arrested recently, Prince Naif said "There is no doubt that things must be comprehensive and transparent in all aspects of this matter and this will be in the mind of the concerned authorities." The Interior Minister confirmed that all concerned Hajj authorities are making every effort in various fields and the assigned supervising body will follow up Hajj matters and pursue negligent. With regard to the accident of a hotel that collapsed in Makkah during the last Hajj season and whether necessary precautions had been undertaken for recurrence of such an incident, the Minister of Interior said "Surely, since that incident, technical committees were formed to investigate the reasons behind it. The building was not built to accommodate a large number of residents, but unfortunately it was occupied by larger numbers. Besides, there was construction undergoing in the vicinity of the hotel, which prompted the building to collapse. In this context, Prince Naif confirmed that there is a thorough verification of all buildings leased to the pilgrims' accommodation and that these buildings are not allowed to be rented without obtaining the license from the concerned authorities. He praised the establishment of meteorological affairs and the environment TV channel, leaving its assessment to specialists. In reply to another question, Prince Naif called on Muslim scholars to educate Muslim youths about the authentic Islamic doctrine and to defend Islam everywhere. He pointed out that the new under construction Jamarat bridge project has already finished some phases of it. "In order to accomplish and complete such a large bridge project, it requires more work and time. The benefit of the new construction will be witnessed during Hajj season this year. Moreover, the pilgrims will sense additional Hajj regulations designed for the safety and security of pilgrims," Prince Naif noted. |
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