Saudi Arabia, Spain Sign Agreement to Build Naval Combat Vessels for Saudi Naval Forces

The agreement is part of the Sarawat project, which concluded its first phase with the construction and delivery of five combat vessels. (SPA)
The agreement is part of the Sarawat project, which concluded its first phase with the construction and delivery of five combat vessels. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia, Spain Sign Agreement to Build Naval Combat Vessels for Saudi Naval Forces

The agreement is part of the Sarawat project, which concluded its first phase with the construction and delivery of five combat vessels. (SPA)
The agreement is part of the Sarawat project, which concluded its first phase with the construction and delivery of five combat vessels. (SPA)

The Saudi Ministry of Defense signed on Tuesday an executive agreement with its Spanish counterpart to support the construction of three new Avante 2200 corvettes entailing collaboration in training, exchanging experience, and providing technical and logistical support to the Royal Saudi Naval Forces.

The agreement is part of the Sarawat project, which concluded its first phase with the construction and delivery of five combat vessels.

Chief of Staff of the Royal Saudi Naval Forces Lt. Gen. Mohammed Al-Gharibi and Spanish Admiral General Antonio Pineiro Sanchez jointly endorsed the agreement at the Spanish Naval Staff headquarters.

The agreement aims to deepen ties between the defense ministries, facilitating the augmentation of the Royal Saudi Naval Forces' capabilities through the construction and provision of three additional Avante 2200 corvettes.

These enhanced assets are set to fortify naval readiness in safeguarding Saudi Arabia, protecting its vital interests, and bolstering maritime security in the region, aligning with the strategic aims of the Kingdom's Vision 2030.

Moreover, the agreement covers technical assistance from the Spanish Naval Forces throughout the construction phases, encompassing system inspection, testing, crew training, and operational post-delivery and commissioning for the Royal Saudi Naval Forces.

The three new vessels mirror the technical and combat specifications of the five vessels from the initial phase of the Sarawat project delivered to the naval forces. Equipped with state-of-the-art combat and engineering systems, they are designed to effectively address air, surface, and subsurface threats.



Riyadh to Host High-Level Meeting for Two-State Solution Alliance

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah speaks to reporters in New York in September. (dpa)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah speaks to reporters in New York in September. (dpa)
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Riyadh to Host High-Level Meeting for Two-State Solution Alliance

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah speaks to reporters in New York in September. (dpa)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah speaks to reporters in New York in September. (dpa)

Saudi Arabia’s capital, Riyadh, will host a meeting of the Global Alliance for Implementing the Two-State Solution on Wednesday and Thursday.

The event will bring together diplomats and representatives from various countries and organizations to discuss a clear timeline for establishing a Palestinian state and achieving lasting peace in the Middle East.

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah will open the meeting with a welcoming speech, followed by comments from Philippe Lazzarini, the Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).

In September, Saudi Arabia announced the creation of the Alliance on behalf of Arab and Islamic nations, along with European partners. The announcement was made during a ministerial meeting on the Palestinian issue held at the United Nations General Assembly.

The upcoming meeting in Riyadh, the first high-level follow-up gathering, aims to garner practical insights and present them to political leaders. It will outline proposed components under the coalition and initiate practical preparations.

Follow-up meetings are planned in Brussels, Cairo, Amman, Oslo, Ankara, and potentially other locations, focusing on specific elements needed to implement the two-state solution.

The Riyadh meeting aims to produce tangible results for communicating these discussions to political leaders and ensuring their implementation. It will establish a timeline for creating a Palestinian state and outline measures to uphold the two-state solution’s viability, including accountability under international law and the execution of relevant UN resolutions.

Sources indicate that by hosting this meeting, Saudi Arabia is collaborating closely with other coalition partners, including members of the joint Arab League and Organization of Islamic Cooperation contact group focused on Gaza, along with the European Union and Norway.

Additionally, the Riyadh meeting will address the role of UNRWA as the main humanitarian organization in Gaza, crucial for the humanitarian response until the two-state solution is achieved.

At the United Nations General Assembly in September, Prince Faisal stressed that establishing an independent Palestinian state is a fundamental right essential for peace, not just a negotiable outcome.

He expressed gratitude to countries that have recently recognized Palestine and urged all nations to join the 149 countries that support its recognition.

“The two-state solution is the best way to end the cycle of conflict and suffering, allowing the region, including Israel, to enjoy security and coexistence,” he stated.

Prince Faisal concluded his speech by announcing the launch of the Alliance.

He invited nations to join this initiative, assuring that Saudi Arabia will work hard to create a reliable path to fair and lasting peace, and expressed eagerness to hear contributions that will help end the conflict and promote international peace and security.