Saudi Arabia: 3 Summits to Promote Partnerships With Switzerland, Brazil, India

A Saudi man walks past the sign of the Future Investment Initiative during the last day of the investment conference in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia October 25, 2018. REUTERS/Faisal Al Nasser
A Saudi man walks past the sign of the Future Investment Initiative during the last day of the investment conference in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia October 25, 2018. REUTERS/Faisal Al Nasser
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Saudi Arabia: 3 Summits to Promote Partnerships With Switzerland, Brazil, India

A Saudi man walks past the sign of the Future Investment Initiative during the last day of the investment conference in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia October 25, 2018. REUTERS/Faisal Al Nasser
A Saudi man walks past the sign of the Future Investment Initiative during the last day of the investment conference in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia October 25, 2018. REUTERS/Faisal Al Nasser

The Saudi capital will witness three bilateral summits this week to promote partnerships with each of Switzerland, Brazil, and India.

Swiss President Ueli Maurer visited Riyadh to participate in a Saudi-Swiss summit on Monday aimed at strengthening cooperation between the two countries and holding dialogue that promote the merging of positions on bilateral and international issues.

Discussions will also touch on financial issues, as Switzerland has been a regular guest in the meetings of the Finance Track of the Group of 20, which Saudi Arabia will host next year.

Saudi Arabia is an important market for Swiss financial services providers outside Europe.

Swiss financial institutions have a strong presence in Saudi markets. The Kingdom is one of Switzerland’s most important trading partners in the Middle East. In 2017, Swiss exports to Saudi Arabia amounted to CHF 8.1 billion, and imports from Saudi Arabia amounted to CHF 558 million.

Riyadh will also host a Saudi-Indian summit on Tuesday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit the Kingdom to strengthen ties of friendship and promote strategic partnership.

Another high-level meeting will take place in Riyadh on Tuesday. A Saudi-Brazilian summit will define the new features of strategic relations linking the Kingdom with Latin America.



Pakistan Supports Saudi Arabia, Welcomes Regional Efforts to De-escalate Situation in Yemen

The Pakistani flag is seen in Islamabad.  AP file photo
The Pakistani flag is seen in Islamabad. AP file photo
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Pakistan Supports Saudi Arabia, Welcomes Regional Efforts to De-escalate Situation in Yemen

The Pakistani flag is seen in Islamabad.  AP file photo
The Pakistani flag is seen in Islamabad. AP file photo

Pakistan has confirmed its support for Yemen’s unity and territorial integrity, and for all efforts aimed at achieving lasting peace and stability in the country.

The Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement issued Wednesday that Pakistan strongly opposes any unilateral actions taken by any Yemeni party that escalate the situation, undermine peace efforts, and threaten peace and stability in Yemen and the region.

The statement said Pakistan welcomes regional efforts to de-escalate the situation and maintain peace and stability in Yemen, expresses its full solidarity with Saudi Arabia, and reaffirms its commitment to the Kingdom’s security.

It added that Pakistan maintains its strong support for resolving the Yemen issue through dialogue and diplomacy, and hopes that the Yemeni people and regional powers will work together to reach a comprehensive and lasting settlement of the issue and safeguard regional stability.


Saudi-Palestinian Discussions Focus on Gaza, the West Bank

The Saudi Foreign Minister met on Wednesday in Riyadh with Vice President of the State of Palestine and Vice Chairman of the PLO's Executive Committee. SPA
The Saudi Foreign Minister met on Wednesday in Riyadh with Vice President of the State of Palestine and Vice Chairman of the PLO's Executive Committee. SPA
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Saudi-Palestinian Discussions Focus on Gaza, the West Bank

The Saudi Foreign Minister met on Wednesday in Riyadh with Vice President of the State of Palestine and Vice Chairman of the PLO's Executive Committee. SPA
The Saudi Foreign Minister met on Wednesday in Riyadh with Vice President of the State of Palestine and Vice Chairman of the PLO's Executive Committee. SPA

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah met on Wednesday in Riyadh with Vice President of the State of Palestine and Vice Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) Hussein Al Sheikh.

During the meeting, they discussed developments in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including the dire humanitarian conditions facing Gaza residents, ongoing Israeli violations of the ceasefire, and Israeli escalation in the West Bank. They stressed the importance of the unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid.

The two sides also underlined the need for the release of Palestinian Authority funds, the protection of the Palestinian banking system, and commitment to implementing the comprehensive peace plan put forward by US President Donald Trump.

The meeting highlighted Saudi Arabia’s support for the reform program launched by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and praised the efforts of the US president.

The two sides affirmed the importance of connecting Gaza to the West Bank and continuing efforts, in coordination with brotherly countries and international partners, to ensure the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, including the realization of an independent state with East Jerusalem as its capital.

The meeting was attended by Advisor to the Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Prince Musab bin Mohammed Al Farhan and Minister Plenipotentiary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Manal Radwan.


Saudi Arabia Stresses Support for Somalia’s Sovereignty

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah. SPA
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah. SPA
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Saudi Arabia Stresses Support for Somalia’s Sovereignty

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah. SPA
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah. SPA

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah received a phone call on Wednesday from Somali Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Abdisalam Abdi Ali.

Discussions stressed the importance of preserving the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of Somalia and addressed regional developments and other issues of mutual concern.