The Republic of Ireland today welcomed the Initiative of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud for Peace in the Middle East which was adopted by Beirut Arab summit 2002 and was later called "the Arab Peace Initiative for the Middle East Region". Ireland also lauded the efforts being exerted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to bring about peace in the region. This came during an audience held by Ireland's Prime Minister Brian Cowen at his office here for the visiting members of the Saudi Shoura Council delegation, led by Dr. Mazen bin Abdulrazzaq Balilah, Deputy Chairman of the Saudi Irish Friendship Committee. During the meeting, Cowen confirmed the firmness of the Saudi Irish relations, their progress in different fields as well as Ireland's keenness on their enhancement in a way that serves the interests of both sides. On the other hand, Dr. Balilah conveyed the greetings of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, his Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz and Second Deputy Premier Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz to the Irish leadership, government and people, wishing them steady progress and prosperity. Dr. Balilah also expressed thanks to and appreciation of the Irish government and people for the warm welcome and generous hospitality accorded to the Saudi Shoura Council's delegation. During the meeting, talks were focused on bilateral relations between the two friendly countries and ways of enhancing them, particularly in educational, economic and parliamentary fields. The meeting was attended by the Saudi Ambassador to Ireland Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al-Darees. Later, the delegation paid get-acquainted visits to a number of facilities, including the Royal College for Surgeons and Dublin-based Google Corporate.
