PRINCE SAUD AL-FAISAL, THE FOREIGN MINISTER AND RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER SERGEY LAVROV HELD A JOINT PRESS CONFERENCE HERE TODAY. AT THE OUTSET OF THE CONFERENCE, PRINCE SAUD SAID THAT THE TWO SIDES AGREED ON THE IMPORTANCE OF DEVELOPING AND ENHANCING RELATIONS BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES PARTICULARLY IN THE PROMOTION OF MUTUAL INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES. PRINCE SAUD ADDED THAT THEY DISCUSSED REGIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL ISSUES OF CONCERN TO THE TWO COUNTRIES TOPPED BY THE MIDDLE EAST ISSUE, THE SITUATIONS IN IRAQ AND MAKING THE AREA FREE FROM MASS DESTRUCTION WEAPONS. THE PRINCE NOTED THAT THE TWO SIDES AGREED ON THE IMPORTANCE OF ADVANCING THE PEACE PROCESS IN THE MIDDLE EAST. HE INDICATED THAT THE KINGDOM PARTICIPATED IN THE MEETING HELD BY THE QUARTET COMMITTEE IN NEW YORK ON MAY 9TH, ADDING THAT THE KINGDOM EXPRESSED ITS APPRECIATION OF THE COMMITTEE FOR ITS DECISION TO RESUME AID TO THE PALESTINIAN PEOPLE THROUGH APPROPRIATE CHANNELS. HE CONGRATULATED THE IRAQI PEOPLE ON FORMING A NEW GOVERNMENT, HOPING THAT THE GOVERNMENT HALTS VIOLENCE ACTS, ACHIEVES IRAQ'S SECURITY, STABILITY AND NATIONAL UNITY AMONG ALL ITS CLASSES AND RELIGIOUS AND ETHNIC STRATA. --MORE
