Prince Saud Al-Faisal, Minister of Foreign Affairs inaugurated today the activities of the First Forum on Economy and Cooperation of Arab Countries with the Central Asian States and the Republic of Azerbaijan hosted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia here. Then, Prince Saud Al-Faisal, Minister of Foreign Affairs and who is also the chairman of the session delivered a speech in which he welcomed the Foreign Ministers of Central Asian countries and Azerbaijan as well as the Arab Foreign Ministers and the Secretary General of Arab League, Dr. Nabil Al-Arabi in ghe Kingdom of Saudi Arabia which is pleased the Forum in its first session. The Foreign Minister conveyed to the participants the greetings of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and the Crown Prince who hope that the conference would achieve the hopes and aspirations of our peoples and embody the bridges of communication and economic and cultural cooperation. He stressed that the works of the forum's first session reflect the common desire to build on the inventory of historical relations and religious and cultural ties that combines the Arab States and the group of Central Asia countries and Azerbaijan. Also, in his speech before the forum, the Minister of Foreign Affairs pointed to the deviation of international politics at the moment from the balance that had governed the relations of States in the framework of active international organizations and major powers which were at least operating in accordance with the principles of the international system and there were attempts to respond to international crises on the basis of seeking to create common interests. He further said that we have never heard from major powers the saying that their foreign policies based on the national interests only, but they had sought for the development of common interests between them and the least in size, but now the situation changed from the keenness on the sovereignty and independence of States and to ensure its security to an approach confirms that the reform of the international situation lies in changing conditions in these States from their inside. Prince Saud Al-Faisal pointed to claims by the developed countries to change the inner political and social conditions on the grounds that they are representing human values, allowing them to this intervention, saying that when the crises broke out, they become a race for interference in the internal affairs, resulting in the disintegration of societies which is considered as one of the most important reasons for the phenomenon of terrorism that is detrimental to everyone, which requires the cooperation of all of us to address it and at the same time refrain from interfering in the internal affairs of States. Prince Saud al-Faisal said that 'Our issues that concern us won't be resolved but only with our solidarity and dependence on ourselves, and this issue will be discussed in the near future, God willing, but now in this meeting, it was agreed upon to focus on the economic aspects between us,' He stressed that today's meeting is of a particular importance since it is convened within the activity and significant development of Arab relations with other countries and regional groups throughout our world in order to strengthen and develop these relations, including relations of the Arab world with the Central Asian Republics and Azerbaijan. He further said there is a fact that the Arab states and the countries of Central Asia and Azerbaijan enjoy natural and human resources and mineral wealth as well as a distinguished geographic and strategic location provides them with promising investment opportunities, including the potential of the establishment of integrated projects and lay solid foundations of fruitful cooperation for the benefit and interests of all the nations concerned. The Minister of Foreign Affairs also said that when we meet today, we have a very clear and specific goal we have to achieve by activating all available means to revitalize our relations, breathing life into our channels of communication and activating cooperation mechanisms emanating from our common historical ties and to establish flourishing future relations. Prince Saud Al-Faisal further said that we all have to develop a road map to ensure steady growth to enhance communication and cultural convergence between our countries by holding exhibitions, conventions, common cultural forums and intensify cooperation between universities and research centers as well as to provide opportunity for students and young people to get acquainted and exchange visions and ideas and awaken their sense of what connects our culture of historical legacy and the common interests. He also asserted that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, out of its proven desire to give a boost to the relations between the Arab countries and the countries of Central Asia and Azerbaijan, has concluded framework agreements for bilateral cooperation in the cultural and educational fields with all your countries, adding that these agreements include the formation of joint committees to meet on a regular basis and also joint councils for businessmen of both sides. In his opening speech, the Minister of Foreign Affairs said that the Government of the Kingdom strives to complete the agreements for the protection and promotion of investments. Two of them were signed with the Republics of Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan. Talks are conducted on other four agreements, including the completion of the negotiation of a series of agreements to avoid double taxation. Prince Saud Alfaisal said, 'Presumably today, we are going to witness the conclusion of two of these agreements with the Republics of Tajikistan and Azerbaijan, in addition to the conclusion of agreements on civil aviation with Tajikistan, Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan and preparing for the signing of agreements with Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan immediately upon completion of the procedures concerning this matter. Prince Saud Alfaisal looked forward to the results of today's meeting which will boost the dialogue and cooperation between the Arab countries and the countries of Central Asia and Azerbaijan and achieve common interests and benefits for these countries. Prince Saud Alfaisal praised the signed memorandum of cooperation between the League of Arab States and the countries of Central Asia and the Republic of Azerbaijan as a key to cooperation between the two parties. Prince Saud Alfaisal asserted the importance of the role of the committee in charge of implementation of the results of the meeting. Minister in charge of Foreign Trade of the Kingdom of Morocco and the current chairman of the Arab League Mohamed Abbou delivered a speech in which he thanked the kingdom for hosting the meeting and the hospitality highlighting the importance of cooperation between the two sides. In his speech, Secretary General of the Arab League Dr. Nabil Elaraby expressed his thanks to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and the Government of the kingdom for hosting the first session of the forum. He hoped the forum would boost mutual cooperation in all fields and reviewed development of relations between the two sides. He valued attitudes of Central Asian countries and the Republic of Azerbaijan in support of the rights of the people of Palestine and mentioned the Syrian crisis saying that it should be resolved peacefully. The opening session was adjourned and then, the second closed session was held. During the closed session, a number of ministers delivered their speeches. The Saudi delegation at the first session of the Forum on the economy and Arab cooperation with the Central Asian states and the Republic of Azerbaijan in Riyadh was led by Prince Abdulaziz bin Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs.
