MOSCOW: Saudi Arabia and Russia are influential and pivotal countries who can work together to address regional issues, the Saudi Ambassador to Russia said on Wednesday on the eve of King Salman’s landmark visit to Russia.
“Surely this visit will give a great push to the development of relations between the two countries in all fields,” Abdulrahman bin Ibrahim Al-Rassi said. “It is, no doubt, a very important visit, since it is the first by a Saudi king in the history of relations between the two countries that go back many decades.”
The visit was historic in both form and content, Al-Rassi said, and its timing gave it even more importance, amid unprecedented improvements in bilateral relations after visits by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to Russia, and the agreements that emerged during these visits. 
The ambassador said regional and international issues would certainly feature in talks between King Salman and the Russian President Vladimir Putin. “It is natural for leaders of influential and pivotal countries such the Kingdom and Russia to confer, and this will definitely help find solutions for the crises that some regional countries have been facing for the past few years.
“It is in line with the role of the Kingdom, and its incessant efforts, in cooperating and consulting with all parties in order to serve peace and achieve stability and security, especially in a vital and important region such as the Middle East.”
Saudi Arabia and Russia have mutual interests in energy and other sectors, and are the world’s biggest oil producers. Cooperation in this area served the interests of both countries, Al-Rassi said.
“However, cooperation is not limited to a bilateral framework, but rather to a larger framework. And I would like to point here to the historical cooperation between the two countries when they signed the agreement to reduce oil production in late 2016.
“It is no secret that reaching that agreement was due to the vital role played by the leaderships of the Kingdom and Russia. And despite the importance of the oil sector, our cooperation is comprehensively in parallel on all tracks, and we discuss all aspects that may benefit both parties.
“There are many programs and future plans, including a partnership with Russian companies in opportunities that Vision 2030 may offer. We can feel the great interest of Russian businesses to enter the Saudi market, and we urge them to benefit from the chances offered by Vision 2030 to strengthen our partnership.”
The two countries were also serious and committed to the promotion of economic, trade and other relations, Al-Rossi said. “There are clear mechanisms and work teams following up issues in many areas, and their mission is to find the best ways to improve relations. If technical problems arise during the implementation of this or that project, they will be dealt with by these work teams through these mechanisms.
“Work is progressing in parallel on all tracks, and we pay special attention to cultural and educational cooperation because these aspects have special importance in enhancing communication, strengthening relations, and helping both parties understand each other’s culture, especially on the popular level.
“This is exactly what we are working on through the expansion of mutual cultural, literary and educational events, or through communication between official institutions in the two countries.
“And in this respect, I would like to point to the Saudi cultural days organized by the Kingdom during the visit of King Salman to Russia. We will continue our efforts in this direction.”
Two ‘influential and pivotal nations’ can address regional crises: Saudi Ambassador to Russia
Two ‘influential and pivotal nations’ can address regional crises: Saudi Ambassador to Russia
Hajj pilgrims from Uzbekistan, Morocco, Niger and Iraq latest to arrive in Saudi Arabia
RIYADH: The first group of pilgrims from Uzbekistan, 950 in total, arrived in Makkah on Thursday ahead of Hajj.
Several expressed “gratitude to the Kingdom’s government for the services and facilities that have been provided to make their pilgrimage safe and reassuring,” the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Meanwhile, the Saudi ambassador to Morocco, Sami Al-Saleh, attended a farewell ceremony at Rabat-Sale Airport as the first group of Hajj pilgrims from the country set off for the Kingdom. He was accompanied by the Moroccan minister of endowments and Islamic affairs, Ahmed Toufiq, and other senior government officials.
Similarly, the Saudi ambassador to Niger, Zaid Al-Harbi, saw off the first group of Nigerien pilgrims as they departed from the capital, Niamey. The country’s prime minister, Ali Lamine Zeine, was also present.
Closer to home, a second group of Hajj pilgrims from Iraq arrived at the Arar border crossing in the Northern Borders Province on Thursday, where authorities said they received a warm welcome and benefited from a range of services and procedures designed to streamline entry procedures.
The Iraqi pilgrims expressed their thanks and “commended the Kingdom’s leadership for the generous hospitality and exceptional services provided by the authorities responsible for Hajj affairs,” SPA reported.
They also praised the facilities at the crossing, which officials said will operate around the clock throughout the Hajj season to provide the best possible pilgrimage experience.
Saudi FM discusses Gaza, West Bank with Palestinian PM
RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan on Thursday spoke to Palestinian Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohammed Mustafa by telephone, the Kingdom’s Foreign Ministry said.
They discussed developments in the West Bank, Gaza Strip and its surrounding areas.
Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority issues statement following Riyadh food poisoning incident
- Nazaha says royal directives mandate the holding of all responsible officials accountable
RIYADH: Following the recent food poisoning incident at a Riyadh restaurant, the Kingdom’s Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority has said anyone found to be negligent in ensuring public health and safety will be held accountable.
The authority, also known as Nazaha, added on Thursday that measures will be taken against anyone found to have obstructed the investigation into the incident and concealed crucial information regarding the cause of poisoning.
Riyadh experienced a wave of food poisoning cases caused by clostridium botulinum at the end of April.
The outbreak was linked to the consumption of food from a Hamburgini fast-food restaurant and led to several hospitalizations and one death.
The Ministry of Municipal, Rural Affairs and Housing later announced that a Saudi Food and Drug Authority laboratory test found clostridium botulinum in the Bon Tum mayonnaise brand used by the food chain.
As a result, the distribution of the mayonnaise product was suspended and it was withdrawn from markets and food facilities across all cities in the Kingdom.
Operations at the Bon Tum factory producing the mayonnaise were halted in preparation for implementing statutory procedures.
Initial investigations by Nazaha “revealed attempts to conceal or destroy evidence, suggesting potential collusion by a small number of unscrupulous food establishment inspectors who prioritized personal gain over public health and safety,” the authority said on Thursday.
Nazaha said that royal directives mandate the holding of all responsible officials accountable, regardless of position.
“This applies to those who neglected or delayed fulfilling their duties, actions which may have contributed to the poisoning or hindered response efforts. Consequently, a high-level committee has been established to verify and oversee the implementation of these directives,” Nazaha said.
Nazaha added that comprehensive reports detailing the circumstances, causes, and those potentially responsible for the poisoning were produced around the clock after the incident.
The reports encompassed laboratory analyses of samples from various establishments and details of medical care provided to suspected victims, it said.
Precise laboratory testing, conducted by local and international foodborne illness specialists, swiftly identified the type and cause of the poisoning, the authority said.
Nazaha said the incident was contained and has been resolved.
Saudi Arabia secures membership in International Transport Forum
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia secured membership in the International Transport Forum on the sidelines of the event held in Leipzig, Germany.
Saudi Minister of Transport and Logistics Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser said that the membership symbolizes the Kingdom’s commitment to addressing transportation challenges through innovative and sustainable solutions. It also supports the Kingdom’s established role in developing the transport and logistics sector, he added, highlighting the Saudi Vision 2030 goal of benefiting from the country’s strategic location to become a global logistics center.
Al-Jasser said that the Kingdom has made significant strides in logistics, jumping 17 places to reach 38th place globally in the logistics services performance index. Additionally, the Kingdom achieved 13th place globally in the IATA’s international air connectivity index and 16th in the maritime navigation network connectivity index. He also noted the launch of a new air carrier, Riyadh Air, aimed at connecting the Kingdom to more than 250 international destinations.
The Kingdom is committed to enhancing the resilience of its transport infrastructure, promoting sustainable mobility and ensuring equitable access to transport services for all, Al-Jasser said.
Saudi membership of the ITF confirms its prominent position in the global transport sector, the minister added. This membership will enable the Kingdom to contribute to enacting legislation and regulations that improve and develop transportation on an international scale, he said.
Italian shipbuilding giant floats Saudi Arabia partnership plan
- Fincantieri stands out in the shipbuilding industry for its innovation, says CEO
RIYADH: One of the world’s biggest shipbuilders will work in partnership with Saudi Arabia to strengthen the Kingdom’s maritime sector, with a focus on sustainability and the development of “green shipping.”
Fincantieri, an Italian company and Europe’s largest shipbuilding group, highlighted its commitment to Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 agenda at a conference under the theme “Where Vision Meets Maritime Excellence” held in Riyadh on Wednesday.
Saudi decisionmakers from related sectors in Riyadh joined Italian officials in a range of sessions at the forum.
During the event, Fincantieri CEO Pierroberto Folgiero outlined the shipbuilder’s plans to collaborate with Saudi companies in line with Vision 2030.
“Our commitment to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is steadfast,” he said.
Fincantieri stands out in the shipbuilding industry for its innovation, and has a leading role in the naval, cruise, and oil and gas sectors, Folgiero said.
The CEO highlighted the importance of developing green ships, designed to minimize the environmental impact of maritime operations, as part of Saudi Arabia’s commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2060.
Digitizing shipyard operations through innovations such as AI also aligns with the goals of Vision 2030, Folgiero said.
“Today, the shipping industry and the maritime industry, in general, is coping with environmental regulation. For us, it is not only a source of compliance, but also a source of distinctiveness. So, we believe that in the maritime sector, in the shipbuilding sector, mastering energy transition and new technologies will be a source of competitiveness and distinctiveness,” he said.
“That is why we are engaged in all the solutions (regarding) energy transition at sea. We are a new engine. We are in biofuels. We are in methanol. We are in LNG. We are in ammonia. We are in hydrogen. We are everywhere there is innovation at sea.”
Maria Tripodi, undersecretary of state for foreign affairs at the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, discussed the significance of keeping operations and businesses sustainable.
Fincantieri’s ships are built to produce zero carbon emissions, which helps to protect the environment and marine ecosystem, she said.
Khalil Ibrahim bin Salamah, deputy minister for industry affairs at the Saudi Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources, said: “Localization for us is a key factor. Key components are crucial, but the whole supply chain is equally important.”
