Aziz expressed his thanks to President Putin, affirming that ties with Russia are deep-rooted. “Relations between the Saudi people and Russian people are more stronger as Russia is the first country to recognize the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” King Abdullah said. “I see President Putin as a statesman who supports peace and justice. As such, the Kingdom has stretched its hand to have substantial friendship with Russia and days are ahead of us. We also expect honesty among friends and we are really the ones,” the Kind added. The two side discussed a number of topics on the regional and international arenas particularly the Palestinian cause, the situation in Iraq. They also explored aspects of cooperation between the two countries and ways to enhance them in all spheres. The Saudi side at the talks included Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz, the Deputy Premier, Defense and Aviation Minister and Inspector General ; Prince Abdul-Rahman bin Abdulaziz, the Deputy Minister of Defense and Aviation; Prince Miteb bin Abdulaziz, the Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs; Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz, the Governor of Riyadh region; Prince Saud Al-Faisal, the Foreign Minister; Prince Miqren bin Abdulaziz, the Chief of General Intelligence; Prince Bandar bin Sultan, the Secretary General of National security; and a number of other princes and senior officials. The Russian side was comprised of Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Presidential Aide Sergei Prikhodko, Transport Minister Igor Levitin and well as senior officials. -- SPA
