A ministerial meeting between Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the Group of Four European countries (France, Germany, Italy, and Britain) discussed developments in the Middle East situation, on the sidelines of the “Group of Seven” (G7) meetings.
During their meeting in Paris on Tuesday, the ministers touched on the Houthi militia’s ongoing attacks on civilians and civilian objects in Yemen and Saudi Arabia, and their repercussions on the security of the region.
The meeting discussed diplomatic efforts made to support mediation between the United States and Iran, thus contributing to reducing escalation and containing the current regional crises.
The attendees stressed the importance of strengthening international coordination to secure regional sea lanes, ensuring the smooth flow of trade and the continuity of global supply chains.
The Saudi Council of Ministers renewed the Kingdom’s support for efforts aimed at achieving security and stability at the regional and international levels, and combating terrorism and its criminal militias, stressing the need to immediately stop all actions that threaten the security of maritime navigation and waterways in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab and Hormuz straits.
This came during its session chaired by Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, in Riyadh, Tuesday, where the Council followed the latest developments in the region and the world. It also reviewed the results of the Crown Prince’s discussions with Bahraini King Hamad bin Isa and Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa, the content of the message he received from Sierra Leone President Dr. Julius Maada Bio, the content of the two phone calls with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, etc. The consultations and talks included a review of bilateral relations between Saudi Arabia and their countries and ways to enhance them, and an emphasis on continuing coordination on regional and international issues of common interest.
The Council of Ministers noted the signing of the general agreement to link the Gulf countries to the railway project, the continued pursuit of strategic cooperation and economic and development integration, and the continued implementation of the vision of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to enhance joint work. In order to achieve the desired goals and meet the aspirations of the peoples of the Council countries.
In local affairs; The Council appreciated what was included in the speech of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz at the opening of the sixth “Hajj Conference and Exhibition” with sublime content that summarized Saudi Arabia’s efforts in serving the Two Holy Mosques and the guests of God, and the constant keenness to continue developing the Hajj system by employing the latest technologies and enhancing integration between state agencies, with the expansion of the services of the “Direct Hajj” program to benefit 133 countries, and the announcement of the launch of agreements and partnerships that will contribute to facilitating the trip of delegations to the Holy House of God. From their countries until they return to them.
The Council reviewed the overall overall performance of national sectors and systems at the level of implementation of strategies, programmes, projects and initiatives and progress in indicators of development and prosperity, praising within this framework the government agencies receiving dozens of global and regional awards in various fields, including health, infrastructure, digital government and technical innovation. This reflects the state’s support and interest in providing all capabilities to these parties and others to continue leadership and excellence and achieve the goals of “Saudi Vision 2030.”
The Council of Ministers took a number of decisions, including approving an agreement with Portugal regarding mutual exemption from entry visas for holders of diplomatic and private passports, two memorandums of understanding with Korea for cooperation in the field of oil and gas, Turkey in the field of railways, and a draft memorandum of understanding with Burundi in the field of Islamic affairs.
The Council also authorized the Minister of Communications and Information Technology to discuss with Jordan and Syria a draft cooperation agreement in the field of communications and digital infrastructure, the Minister of Human Resources and Social Development to discuss with Jordan a draft memorandum of understanding for cooperation in the field of developing workforce skills in the labor market, the Minister of Investment to sign a draft agreement with Bangladesh regarding the encouragement and mutual protection of investments, the Minister of Transport and Logistics to discuss with Cyprus a draft memorandum of understanding for cooperation in the field of maritime affairs, and the President of the Human Rights Commission to discuss a draft memorandum of understanding with the Digital Cooperation Organization. For cooperation in the technical field.
The Council of Ministers approved the consumer protection system, and the state bears the customs duties contained in the unified customs system (law) of the Gulf states, and the value-added tax imposed on the import of the vehicle of the scholarship student, the employee of the government agency who performs official work abroad, and any adult from their families accompanying them abroad, and they are exempted from the financial fee for importing the vehicle. In accordance with controls set by the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority, he also approved the appointment of Dr. Ahmed Samman and Dr. Lina Ayouni; Two members of the Board of Directors of the Meteorological Center, and also approved the final accounts of the “Development and Real Estate Development” funds, and the King Salman International Academy for the Arabic Language, for previous financial years.
The Council was directed to do what was necessary regarding topics on its agenda, including annual reports for the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, the “Communications, Space and Technology, and Public Health” bodies, the “Technical and Vocational Training Corporation,” the centers for “Decision-Making Support, Industrial Development, Vegetation Development and Combating Desertification, and Documents and Archives,” the King Abdulaziz Complex for Endowment Libraries, and the Family Affairs Council. He also approved the appointment and promotion to rank 15.
