15th session of Yemeni-Saudi Coordination Council in Sana’a concluded by signing bilateral agreements:Towards ultimate partnership [Archives:2003/649/Front Page]
Mohammed bin Sallam
SANA'A, 9 July – Yemen and Saudi Arabia signed on Sunday seven agreements and executive programs for cooperation. Among the signed agreements was a $38 million loan for a project to build modern transportation highways linking the two countries.
The 15th session of the Yemeni-Saudi Coordination Council concluded on Sunday in Sana'a its 2-day meetings held during 5-6 June. The Yemeni side to the Council's meetings was chaired by Prime Minister Mr. Abdulkader Bajammal while the Saudi party was headed by Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz, the Defense Minister, the Second Deputy Premier. The session had discussed a number of issues in economy, investment, culture, security and politics.
Signed agreements
Other agreements signed between the two countries included cooperation in tourism and the executive program for educational cooperation, technical education and vocational training, cooperation between the Yemeni National Center for Documents and the Saudi King Abdulaziz House. In addition, an agreement on developing exports between the two countries was signed.
In conclusion of its meetings, the session issued a closing statement confirming deep-rooted brotherly ties and kinship between Yemen and Saudi Arabia, stressing identical viewpoints on all issues discussed by the two sides so as to achieve overall partnership. The two sides welcomed signing the memorandum of understanding and coordination between the foreign ministries of the two countries and urged for more coordination in political stands towards various regional and international issues.
Security, top priority
Concerning security cooperation, the two sides expressed their satisfaction over the level of existing cooperation within the framework of implementing the security agreement signed by the two countries. They expressed satisfaction over following up all arrangements necessary for enabling the German company entrusted with fixing border markings easily in implementation of the famous Jeddah Border Treaty signed by the two countries years ago. The two sides have also confirmed their keenness on fighting terrorism.
Economical cooperation
On the economic and development cooperation, the statement expressed satisfaction of the two sides with what has been already achieved. The final statement was about completing discussion of the draft agreement of customs cooperation and finalizing draft agreements to avoid taxation duality and encouragement and protection of investments, in addition to complete the project of an electricity power connection between the two countries.
The Yemeni and Saudi sides also affirmed their willingness for joint exploration of oil and minerals on the common borders. Regarding the agricultural field, the two sides agreed on increasing cooperation in agricultural research and coordination in fighting animal and plant epidemics along with adopting guaranteed procedures in an attempt to put an end to smuggling of livestock and agricultural materials and commitment to standard specifications of agricultural goods in trade exchange.
The two sides had agreed on activating the two agreements on overland and sea transport already concluded by the two countries.
Educational cooperation
Regarding educational issues, the two sides expressed their satisfaction over the executive measures taken concerning many educational fields, especially school curricula, education technology and exchange of expertise and scholarships. The two sides also expressed satisfaction on signing agreement on technical cooperation and vocational training. The Yemeni and Saudi delegations to the Council's meetings welcomed the agreement signed in the tourism field. The Saudi side agreed to provide training for Yemeni medical cadres and to equip with supplies and repair Aden Hospital through financing by the Saudi Fund for Development.
Regional and international issues
The Yemeni-Saudi Coordination Council had also discussed regional and international issues, confirming the importance of Iraq's territorial unity and establishment of security and stability in it, calling for forming a legitimate national unity representing all segments of the Iraqi people. The two sides condemned the Israeli practices against the Palestinian people and Israel's continued occupation of the Arab territories of Syria and Lebanon. They called on the international community and the United States in particular to adopt the same seriousness and credibility in dealing with Israel's superciliousness.
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