Saudi Arabia and Russia on Friday underscored importance of enhancing joint efforts in support of Mideast peace process, and of achieving stability in the region.
This came in a Saudi-Russian joint communiqué issued at the conclusion of the official visit of Deputy Premier, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector-General Crown Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud to Russia.
Greeting the crown prince at the Kremlin, Putin said discussions would address a range of international issues, while the prince described Russia as a "friend", news agencies reported.
During the two-day visit, Crown Prince Sultan held meetings with President Vladimir Putin and other senior government officials, where the two sides expressed satisfaction over "tangible and good" developments achieved at all levels of bilateral relations and expressed agreement and rapprochement of view points on a number of bilateral, regional and international issues and also expressed honest wishes to enhance the high-level political dialogue between them.
The two sides confirmed their support for the establishment of an independent and viable Palestinian state and underscored the importance of the Arab Peace Initiative as approved by the Arab summit in Beirut 2002 and endorsed by Riyadh Arab summit in March 2007.
They also called on the international community to provide the means and facilities for providing more assistance for the Palestinian people.
As regards a proposal to hold the planned peace conference in Annapolis, the two parties hoped that the conference would deal with the basic issues of the Arab-Israeli conflict aiming at reaching a just and comprehensive solution to the conflict at all tracks and according to a foreseeable timetable.
As for the situation in Lebanon, the two sides underscored the importance of preserving its unity, security, stability, and sovereignty over all its territories and called on all Lebanese factions and forces to enhance dialogue and rapprochement as regards the presidential elections according to constitution and away from foreign interference.
The two sides urged all Middle Eastern countries to join the nuclear non-proliferation treaty and to make the Middle East free of mass destruction weapons and means of launching them according to relevant international legitimacy resolutions.
In this concern, the two sides confirmed their support for a diplomatic solution for the Iranian nuclear dossier and urged Tehran to cooperate and comply with UN Security Council resolutions No. 1696, 1737 and 1747 and for constructive cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency.
Both officials reiterated their countries firm commitment of the United Nations agreements regarding terrorism and the relevant Security Council's resolutions. They also welcomed the enforcement of the international agreement on combating nuclear terrorism acts and the recognition of the strategies to combat global terrorism by the United Nations General Assembly.
A Russian diplomat in Riyadh, speaking earlier this week, said he expected the Moscow talks to produce a "framework agreement for military cooperation" that would open the way for Saudi Arabia to buy Russian arms.
Speaking earlier this year after Putin visited Riyadh, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal said the desert kingdom was in talks with Russia over the possible purchase of Russian weapons.
"On the armament front, there have been discussions between the two countries.
"They are taking place in accordance with the kingdom's requirements in terms of armament and with what Russia can provide of the kingdom's needs for such equipment," he said.
Saud did not give details, but a diplomatic source in Riyadh had earlier said that Putin's visit there in February was expected to lead to a "verbal understanding" on the sale of about 150 Russian T-90 battle tanks to the kingdom.
The source said tests were carried out on the T-90 in Saudi Arabia last year to determine the tank's suitability for harsh desert conditions, and that Russia was also looking to sell Mi-17 helicopters.
Saudi Arabia has traditionally purchased US and other western military equipment but has signalled that it is looking at other suppliers to diversify its arsenal.
Putin's plan to meet with the crown prince was made public only at the last minute.
Prior to meeting Putin, the prince, who is also defence minister, held talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
In an interview with the state-run ITAR-TASS news agency, Sultan turned his attention to the Middle East and said both Saudi Arabia and Russia had roles to play in stabilising the situation in Iraq.
"We see violence, murders and destruction in Iraqi land, which contradicts common sense and logic," the prince was quoted by the agency as saying.
Russia and Saudi Arabia "should work together at regional and international levels for security and peace in Iraq."
Officials in Moscow had declined to provide further information on the agenda for Sultan's talks with Putin.
Lavrov said the prince's meeting with Putin would focus on implementing agreements that were penned when the Russian president was in Riyadh.
He said Russia-Saudi ties had entered a phase of "intense development."
The prince said "we are satisfied with Russian policy and we hope that it will continue".
Saudi Arabia and Russia on Friday underscored importance of enhancing joint efforts in support of Mideast peace process, and of achieving stability in the region.
This came in a Saudi-Russian joint communiqué issued at the conclusion of the official visit of Deputy Premier, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector-General Crown Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud to Russia.
Greeting the crown prince at the Kremlin, Putin said discussions would address a range of international issues, while the prince described Russia as a "friend", news agencies reported.
During the two-day visit, Crown Prince Sultan held meetings with President Vladimir Putin and other senior government officials, where the two sides expressed satisfaction over "tangible and good" developments achieved at all levels of bilateral relations and expressed agreement and rapprochement of view points on a number of bilateral, regional and international issues and also expressed honest wishes to enhance the high-level political dialogue between them.
The two sides confirmed their support for the establishment of an independent and viable Palestinian state and underscored the importance of the Arab Peace Initiative as approved by the Arab summit in Beirut 2002 and endorsed by Riyadh Arab summit in March 2007.
They also called on the international community to provide the means and facilities for providing more assistance for the Palestinian people.
As regards a proposal to hold the planned peace conference in Annapolis, the two parties hoped that the conference would deal with the basic issues of the Arab-Israeli conflict aiming at reaching a just and comprehensive solution to the conflict at all tracks and according to a foreseeable timetable.
As for the situation in Lebanon, the two sides underscored the importance of preserving its unity, security, stability, and sovereignty over all its territories and called on all Lebanese factions and forces to enhance dialogue and rapprochement as regards the presidential elections according to constitution and away from foreign interference.
The two sides urged all Middle Eastern countries to join the nuclear non-proliferation treaty and to make the Middle East free of mass destruction weapons and means of launching them according to relevant international legitimacy resolutions.
In this concern, the two sides confirmed their support for a diplomatic solution for the Iranian nuclear dossier and urged Tehran to cooperate and comply with UN Security Council resolutions No. 1696, 1737 and 1747 and for constructive cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency.
Both officials reiterated their countries firm commitment of the United Nations agreements regarding terrorism and the relevant Security Council's resolutions. They also welcomed the enforcement of the international agreement on combating nuclear terrorism acts and the recognition of the strategies to combat global terrorism by the United Nations General Assembly.
A Russian diplomat in Riyadh, speaking earlier this week, said he expected the Moscow talks to produce a "framework agreement for military cooperation" that would open the way for Saudi Arabia to buy Russian arms.
Speaking earlier this year after Putin visited Riyadh, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal said the desert kingdom was in talks with Russia over the possible purchase of Russian weapons.
"On the armament front, there have been discussions between the two countries.
"They are taking place in accordance with the kingdom's requirements in terms of armament and with what Russia can provide of the kingdom's needs for such equipment," he said.
Saud did not give details, but a diplomatic source in Riyadh had earlier said that Putin's visit there in February was expected to lead to a "verbal understanding" on the sale of about 150 Russian T-90 battle tanks to the kingdom.
The source said tests were carried out on the T-90 in Saudi Arabia last year to determine the tank's suitability for harsh desert conditions, and that Russia was also looking to sell Mi-17 helicopters.
Saudi Arabia has traditionally purchased US and other western military equipment but has signalled that it is looking at other suppliers to diversify its arsenal.
Putin's plan to meet with the crown prince was made public only at the last minute.
Prior to meeting Putin, the prince, who is also defence minister, held talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
In an interview with the state-run ITAR-TASS news agency, Sultan turned his attention to the Middle East and said both Saudi Arabia and Russia had roles to play in stabilising the situation in Iraq.
"We see violence, murders and destruction in Iraqi land, which contradicts common sense and logic," the prince was quoted by the agency as saying.
Russia and Saudi Arabia "should work together at regional and international levels for security and peace in Iraq."
Officials in Moscow had declined to provide further information on the agenda for Sultan's talks with Putin.
Lavrov said the prince's meeting with Putin would focus on implementing agreements that were penned when the Russian president was in Riyadh.
He said Russia-Saudi ties had entered a phase of "intense development."
The prince said "we are satisfied with Russian policy and we hope that it will continue".
http://english.alarabonline.org/display.asp?fname=2007%5C11%5C11-24%5Czotherz%5C943.htm&dismode=x&ts=24/11/2007%2010:50:34%20Õ
5 comments:
As if Saudi Arabia isn't buying enough arms from the US, now they are working on buying from Russia as well. Glad to see both are going to be in Annoplois, and both are concerned over Lebanon.
Also another interesting tidbit
"The two sides confirmed their support for the establishment of an independent and viable Palestinian state and underscored the importance"
TGCN the Saudis are looking to control as much of the Middle East as possible. The problem is Iran. Now as for the US well the Saudis studied the Bush Family for a long time and knew if the idiot son was put in things would go their way and they were right. Remember they gave baby Bush millions as he lost the money is his failed oil deals. But the Saudis knew an idiot when they saw one and just kept feeding him money. Now look how well the Saudis have done.
Putin is so fine and nice to look at. Ok now to business. Putin is one of the smartest World Leaders of this time. While the US is lying, cheating ans stealing Russia is making deals and friends. Like a football game, one player can't win by himself. But the team that plays together wins the SuperBowl. Putin doesn't care who controls the Middle East just as long as they know Russia is the World Power. Look how many countries have Nukes now. Putin has met with Iran's Supreme Leader, Syria, China, North Korea and now the Saudis. Bush has met with the bottle.
I think Putin's approval rating is around 80% or so. There are a few people not too happy with him, the really rich people backing the far 'Western' politicians and the facsists, like Eduard "Limonka" Limonov, but he doesn't like anyone. Some folks in Ukraine and Georgia aren't too happy.
Russia is making billions with the oil prices high.
Too Funny Jackie! Bush has met with the bottle! LOL
Let's see what happens at the Summit in Annopolis, I do hope none of the world leaders have speaking engagements anywhere!
We can only hope that the Gerbil's handlers are hard at work quizing and requizing him on the basics, so he doesn't put someone in the past tense who is alive and well, know who is who, and where they are from, and even what event he is at!
"Bush has met with the bottle."
LOL! Yup, it's the Gerbil's one thing that he yearns for, get him through the day, and has a love affair with: Jack Daniels.
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