Saudi Prince's Visit Draws Moscow, Riyadh Closer

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Friday, September 05, 2003

Saudi Prince's Visit Draws Moscow, Riyadh Closer

The just-concluded official visit by Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul-Aziz Al Saud has brought a historic opportunity for Russia and Saudi Arabia to forge closer ties.

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The just-concluded official visit by Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul-Aziz Al Saud has brought a historic opportunity for Russia and Saudi Arabia to forge closer ties.

Hosted by Russian President Vladimir Putin, the three-day visit,the first of its kind at such a high level in the relations between Russia and Saudi Arabia in nearly 80 years, resulted in a breakthrough joint statement Thursday and a handful of cooperation agreements and consensus after the host and the visitor exchanged views on a wide range of international and bilateral issues.

According to the joint statement, Russia and Saudi Arabia favor"the strengthening of the UN role in settling the Iraqi crisis" and believe in the need of an "active participation" of the international community "in resolving such problems as intensifying humanitarian aid, restoring the social and economic sector in the country (Iraq)."

The two sides also expressed the hope that the Iraqi Governing Council "will become a step towards creating a legitimate government," which is expected to work out a constitution reflecting the current situation in the country, and to ensure its sovereignty, territorial integrity and national unity, as well as equal rights of all Iraqi citizens, said the statement.

Russia and Saudi Arabia pledged close cooperation in maintaining a lasting peace in the Middle East. For the purpose, they will comply with all UN Security Council resolutions, the "land for peace principle," the Arab initiative adopted at the Beirut summit and the internationally-backed Road Map.

Moscow and Riyadh called for implementing international decisions on the Palestinian-Israeli settlement and supported the idea to "transform the Middle East into a zone free of weapons of mass destruction, including of nuclear ones."

The establishment of a joint working group in fighting against terrorism demonstrated the two countries' resoluteness in intensifying collective efforts to counteract and eradicate terrorism, "in accordance with the UN Charter and the norms of international law."

Under a five-year contract on oil and gas cooperation signed on Tuesday, the leaders of the world's No.1 and No. 2 crude oil exporters agreed to improve cooperation in the oil industry, aiming at make the world oil market stable and predictable.

The two countries will also do their best to increase trade turnover and encourage investments, according to the statement.

Saudi Arabia backed Russia's initiative "on the expansion of cooperation with the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC)," echoing Putin's belief that "almost 20 million Moslems living in Russia have the right to be part of the Moslem world."

President Putin accepted the invitation from Saudi King Fahd topay a state visit to the country at a date to be decided later.

The visit by the Saudi Crown Prince, the de facto ruler of the desert monarchy since his half-brother King Fahd suffered a stroke in 1995, marks a thaw in relations between the two countries.

Although the former Soviet Union was the first to recognize Saudi Arabia in 1926, the two countries had no diplomatic relations between 1938 and 1990.

But Russia's re-emergence as a global oil power after years of decline, the rising tensions between Saudi Arabia and the United States and the role Saudi nationals played in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks two years ago all seemed to offer a chance for Moscow and Riyadh to move closer to each other.

Despite Kremlin's concerns over alleged Saudi funding of Chechen rebel attacks in Russia, Putin still termed Saudi Arabia as "one of the most important Muslim nations" during his meeting with the Saudi guest.

"We have always viewed the Arab and Muslim world as one of our nearest partners and allies," Putin said when meeting Abdullah Tuesday.

The Russian state leader confirmed that his country attaches special importance to the relations with Saudi Arabia, and prince Abdullah's visit "will give a strong impetus to bilateral ties."

Abdullah in turn noted that the visit "will open a new chapter and epoch in the history of Saudi-Russian relations," adding that the people and king of Saudi Arabia "deeply respect Russia and its president."

The Crown Prince said Thursday that his country considered Russia as a partner rather than a competitor, adding that his visit and the agreements signed in Moscow "strengthen determined orientation of the two governments towards the expansion of economic and other ties."

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