Saudi Arabia and Qatar to strengthen cooperation, unify positions

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Saudi Arabia’s Prince Mohammed bin Salman leaves Doha following a two-day visit and is seen off by Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad. (Twitter/@KSAMOFA)
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Saudi Arabia’s Prince Mohammed bin Salman leaves Doha following a two-day visit and is seen off by Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad. (Twitter/@KSAMOFA)
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Updated 09 December 2021
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Saudi Arabia and Qatar to strengthen cooperation, unify positions

  • The emir and crown prince co-chaired the 6th Saudi-Qatari Coordination Council meeting
  • Riyadh and Doha agree to develop economic and commercial cooperation and increase the volume of intra-trade

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Thursday concluded a two-day visit to the Qatari capital, Doha, aimed at bolstering relations.
Prince Mohammed and Emir Sheikh Tamim held a round of talks to discuss regional and international issues and the bilateral opportunities available in the political, military, security, economic, commercial, investment, industrial, cultural, sports, environment, energy and infrastructure fields.
The emir and crown prince co-chaired the 6th Saudi-Qatari Coordination Council meeting, and said they were “satisfied with what was achieved during the session,” a joint statement released following the crown prince’s visit said. 
The two sides agreed to enhance cooperation on all political issues and develop common positions that preserve both countries’ security and stability. They also agreed to continue military cooperation, strengthen the exchange of information, visits and joint training, benefit from expertise in specialized fields, exchange scholarships for military colleges and academies, and activate the security agreements signed between them.
Saudi Arabia and Qatar said they were keen to develop economic and commercial cooperation, increase the volume of intra-trade, facilitate the flow of trade movement, and take advantage of economic, commercial and industrial opportunities.




Riyadh and Doha also agreed to coordinate their positions on regional and international issues. (Twitter/@KSAMOFA)

The two sides also agreed to enhance cooperation on international climate policies and renewable energy, implement a circular carbon economy, and contribute to the sustainability of demand for global energy supplies. The Kingdom thanked Qatar for supporting important green initiatives in the Middle East, including its announcement to plant one million trees before the World Cup next year, and to plant 10 million trees by 2030.
Other areas of cooperation both counties pledged to develop include air transport, telecommunications and information technology, cybersecurity, financial technologies, digital marketing, and providing incentives to the business sectors in both countries, “especially during Qatar’s hosting of the 2022 World Cup, in a way that contributes to the success of this major event and achieves the two countries’ 2030 visions,” the statement said.
“The two sides agreed on the need to coordinate efforts to highlight the positive image of the citizens of the two countries, especially the youth,” the statement added, including organizing festivals, seminars, and cultural and entertainment conferences.
Riyadh and Doha also agreed to coordinate their positions on regional and international issues “to serve their interests and enhance security and stability in the region and the world.”
They affirmed their commitment to the AlUla declaration, achieving peace in the Middle East, and the importance of reaching a comprehensive settlement of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. They also called for concerted international efforts to provide humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people. 
On Yemen, the two sides said they were united in their efforts to find a comprehensive political solution to the crisis, and Qatari praised the Kingdom’s initiative to end the war and the suffering of the Yemeni people.
Saudi Arabia and Qatar welcomed the success of the recent elections in Iraq, and said they hoped the new Iraqi government will continue to work for the security, stability and development of the country. They also welcomed the agreements reached by the parties to the transitional phase in Sudan, and affirmed their continued support for its security and stability and the prosperity of the Sudanese people.
“The two sides stressed the importance of carrying out comprehensive reforms to ensure that Lebanon overcomes its crises, and that it does not become a launch pad for any actions that destabilize the security and stability of the region or a corridor for drug trafficking,” the joint statement said.




Saudi Arabia’s Prince Mohammed bin Salman leaves Doha following a two-day visit and is seen off by Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad. (Twitter/@KSAMOFA)

They also called for the need to reach a political solution to the Syrian and Libyan crisis, and expressed support for the efforts of the UN special envoy for Syria. 
Saudi Arabia and Qatar said they would continue to support security and stability in Afghanistan so it does not become a safe haven for terrorists and extremists, and called for increased international efforts to combat terrorism and support relief and humanitarian work.
The Kingdom praised the Qatar-led mediation efforts to achieve peace in Afghanistan and its vital role in evacuating foreign citizens and resuming operations at Kabul Airport.
Qatar praised the Kingdom for calling an extraordinary meeting for the Organization of Islamic Cooperation countries to discuss the situation in Afghanistan, which will be held in Pakistan on Dec. 19. 
They also stressed the need to cooperate and seriously and effectively deal with Iran’s nuclear and missile program with all its components and repercussions in a way that contributes to achieving regional and international security and stability. They emphasized the principles of good neighborliness and respect for UN resolutions and international legitimacy, and sparing the region from all destabilizing activities.
Prince Mohammed sent a cable to Sheikh Tamim following his visit, thanking him for the warm reception and hospitality he and his accompanying delegation received.
He said the talks he held over the past two days “confirmed the strength of the relations between the two brotherly countries and the common desire to deepen cooperation in all fields,” Saudi Press Agency reported.
Qatar was the fourth stop in the crown prince’s tour of Gulf countries, following the UAE and Oman. His whirlwind tour also includes visits to Bahrain and Kuwait.


Prince Faisal bin Farhan speaks with Swiss foreign minister

Updated 02 May 2024
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Prince Faisal bin Farhan speaks with Swiss foreign minister

  • two ministers discussed developments of common interest and efforts made by both countries in those areas

RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan spoke on the phone with his Swiss counterpart Ignazio Cassis on Thursday.

During the call, the two ministers discussed developments of common interest and efforts made by both countries in those areas, Saudi Press Agency reported.

Cassis was in the Kingdom last month to attend the Special Meeting of the World Economic Forum held in Riyadh on April 28 and 29, during which he met with Prince Faisal.

Prince Faisal and Cassis also met earlier in the year in February during UN meetings in Geneva.


Saudi FM discusses preparations for Expo 2030 with BIE chief

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan receives the Secretary-General of the BIE Dimitri Kerkentzes in Riyadh.
Updated 02 May 2024
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Saudi FM discusses preparations for Expo 2030 with BIE chief

  • During the meeting, the two officials discussed the Kingdom’s preparations to host Expo 2030 in Riyadh
  • “We underlined the importance of careful planning to deliver a transformational World Expo in 2030,” Kerkentzes said

RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan received the Secretary-General of the Bureau International des Expositions Dimitri Kerkentzes in Riyadh on Thursday.

During the meeting, the two officials discussed the Kingdom’s preparations to host Expo 2030 in Riyadh and coordination to ensure that the exhibition would be “exceptional,” Saudi Press Agency reported.

Writing on social media platform X, Kerkentzes said: “We underlined the importance of careful planning to deliver a transformational World Expo in 2030.”

The BIE chief met with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Wednesday.

World Expo 2030 will be hosted in Riyadh after the Kingdom defeated challenges from South Korea and Italy to host the prestigious event in November 2023.


Female students take top prizes at university’s Engineering Hackathon

Updated 02 May 2024
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Female students take top prizes at university’s Engineering Hackathon

  • 88 teams from the Eastern Province took part in the event at Imam Abdulrahman bin Faisal University
  • Team Al-Farahidi took first place with its Aram project, which aims to help prevent sleepwalking

RIYADH: Teams of female students took the top three prizes at Engineering Hackathon 24, which concluded on Wednesday at Imam Abdulrahman bin Faisal University in Dammam.

A total of 88 teams of male and female students from the Eastern Province took part in the event, which began on April 27, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Murad Al-Thubaiti, dean of the university’s College of Engineering, welcomed the high level of participation by students from universities across the province, and said 16 teams were chosen as finalists to present their projects, which covered a variety of specializations.

Team Al-Farahidi took first place with its Aram project, which aims to help prevent sleepwalking. The members were Nada Al-Dosari, Sarah Al-Nami, Manal Al-Tamimi and Nihal Al-Suhaibani.

Second spot went to Al-Khawarizmi, a team comprising Fatima Shuwaiheen, Fatima Al-Baik, Hawraa Al-Suwaiket, Walaa Al-Sulays and Amani Al-Saeedi, who designed a device that helps isolate cardiac signals from background noise.

Team Al-Battani was awarded third place for its system to help surgeons deal with stress. Its members were Hawraa Al-Wael, Dahhouk Al-Sabaa and Zainab Bou Moza.

Al-Thubaiti said activities such as the hackathon are an essential element for the development of students’ personalities and helping them prepare for the future.


Illegal workers in Riyadh region arrested after changing expiry dates on food products

Illegal workers at a farm in the Riyadh region were arrested after they were caught changing the expiry dates on products.
Updated 02 May 2024
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Illegal workers in Riyadh region arrested after changing expiry dates on food products

  • Seized products included 248,000 chicken stock cubes weighing 8 grams, 4,600 potato chip products, 2,900 soy sauces, and 1,500 pasta sauces
  • A laser device used to print new production dates was also seized

RIYADH: Illegal workers at a farm in Riyadh region’s Huraymila governorate were arrested after they were caught by the Saudi Ministry of Commerce changing the expiry dates on products, Saudi Press Agency reported on Thursday.

A 3.00 a.m. raid was carried out in cooperation with Riyadh region police and Huraymila governorate police after expired products that were seized in the possession of expatriates a few hours earlier were traced back to the farm.

Seized products included 248,000 chicken stock cubes weighing 8 grams, 4,600 potato chip products, 2,900 soy sauces, and 1,500 pasta sauces. The products were later destroyed. A laser device used to print new production dates was also seized.

The workers were referred to the competent authorities so that deterrent measures could be taken against them in accordance with the provisions of the anti-commercial fraud law.

The ministry said that violators of the anti-commercial fraud law could be imprisoned for up to three years, fined up to SR 1 million ($266,623), or receive both punishments. They could also be deported, the ministry added.


Saudi Arabia calls for unified Arab efforts to confront environmental challenges

Updated 02 May 2024
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Saudi Arabia calls for unified Arab efforts to confront environmental challenges

  • Minister Abdulrahman Al-Fadli spoke of biodiversity and the Arab region’s natural resources
  • Al-Fadli said that the region was capable of utilizing technology and innovation

RIYADH: Saudi Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture Abdulrahman Al-Fadli has stressed the importance of regional action to combat environmental challenges facing the Middle East and North Africa region and the world, the Saudi Press Agency has reported.

Speaking during the 38th meeting of the Arab Organization for Agricultural Development in Riyadh, the minister spoke of biodiversity, the area’s natural resources and the range of agricultural environments, while stressing the challenges facing the region. He called for a united effort to reduce the impact on the region’s peoples.

Al-Fadli said that the Arab region was capable of utilizing technology and innovation, as well as seizing opportunities to invest in agriculture and improve practices to become more productive, efficient and sustainable in the use of water and natural resources.

He said enhancing trade, regional and international cooperation, and the benefits of international organizations were sources of optimism.

The minister said that the Arab region could take advantage of opportunities in technology, innovation and investment in agriculture by improving practices to make the utilization of water and natural resources more productive, efficient and sustainable.

Ibrahim Al Dukhairi, the director general of the organization, pledged his support for sustainability and agricultural development in the region, along with the development of the Arab landscape and food security.

He pointed out the significance of strategies to launch the necessary initiatives and partnerships to achieve the region’s goals.