Saudi Crown Prince: No Ties With Israel Without Establishing Palestine State

The Saudi Crown Prince addresses the advisory Shura Council. SPA
The Saudi Crown Prince addresses the advisory Shura Council. SPA
TT

Saudi Crown Prince: No Ties With Israel Without Establishing Palestine State

The Saudi Crown Prince addresses the advisory Shura Council. SPA
The Saudi Crown Prince addresses the advisory Shura Council. SPA

Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman reiterated on Wednesday that the Palestinian issue is at the forefront of the Kingdom’s concerns.
He reaffirmed that Saudi Arabia will not establish diplomatic relations with Israel without the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.
The Crown Prince announced this while inaugurating, on behalf of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman, the activities of the first year of the ninth session of the Shura Council in Riyadh.
Delivering the annual address of the King at the Shura Council, the Crown Prince renewed rejection and strong condemnation of the crimes of the Israeli occupation authority against the Palestinian people, ignoring international and humanitarian law in a new and bitter chapter of suffering.
While asserting that the Kingdom will not stop its tireless work towards the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, the Crown Prince affirmed that the Kingdom will not establish diplomatic relations with Israel without that. 
He also extended thanks to the countries that recognized the Palestinian state, saying that this is an embodiment of international legitimacy. He urged the rest of the countries to recognize Palestine.
During the speech, the Crown Prince stressed the importance of progress and achievements made by Saudi Arabia on the domestic front. 
“Since the launch of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, the citizen has been our focus, as they are its pillar and goal, and any achievement made through its comprehensive umbrella of various paths is an elevation for the homeland, a benefit for the citizen, and immunity for future generations from fluctuations and changes,” he highlighted. 
The Crown Prince said that Saudi Arabia has achieved many remarkable accomplishments during this great journey, and among the examples of these non-oil activities in the Kingdom, saying that it recorded its highest contribution to the real GDP at 50% last year, which enhanced the sustainability and comprehensiveness of growth and achieved high quality in economic diversification.



Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan Hold Third Round of Political Consultations

A night view of the Saudi capital, Riyadh. (Reuters file)
A night view of the Saudi capital, Riyadh. (Reuters file)
TT

Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan Hold Third Round of Political Consultations

A night view of the Saudi capital, Riyadh. (Reuters file)
A night view of the Saudi capital, Riyadh. (Reuters file)

The ministries of foreign affairs of Saudi Arabia and Tajikistan held the third round of political consultations at the Saudi ministry headquarters in Riyadh on Wednesday.

Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed bin Abdulkarim El-Khereiji and Tajik Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Farrukh Sharifzoda headed their respective sides during the meeting.

Discussions focused on boosting bilateral relations between the two countries across various sectors, as well as intensifying bilateral and multilateral coordination on issues of mutual interest.

The consultation round was attended by Saudi Ambassador to Tajikistan Waleed Abdulrahman Alreshaidan, Tajik Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Akram Karimi, and Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs Department of Asian Countries Director Nasser Al-Ghanoum.