Saudi Crown Prince, Uzbek President Discuss Bilateral Ties in Jeddah

Saudi Crown Prince and Uzbek President discussed bilateral relations and cooperation  (SPA)
Saudi Crown Prince and Uzbek President discussed bilateral relations and cooperation (SPA)
TT

Saudi Crown Prince, Uzbek President Discuss Bilateral Ties in Jeddah

Saudi Crown Prince and Uzbek President discussed bilateral relations and cooperation  (SPA)
Saudi Crown Prince and Uzbek President discussed bilateral relations and cooperation (SPA)

Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in Jeddah on Wednesday at Al-Salam palace.

The two leaders discussed bilateral relations and cooperation in various fields, in addition to reviewing a number of issues of common interest.

Following the talks, they witnessed the exchange of a number of bilateral agreements and memoranda of understanding between the two countries.

The agreements, worth over SR45 billion ($12 billion), include deals in Islamic affairs, energy, tourism, air transport services, livestock, agriculture, sports, education, science, and media.

The two countries also signed a memorandum of understanding in the field of human rights.

The deals aim to explore investment opportunities, advance the partnership between the Saudi and Uzbek private sectors, encourage and enhance mutual investments in a number of target sectors.

A number of senior officials from both sides attended the discussions.

This came as Uzbekistan's ambassador to Saudi Arabia Ulugbek Maksudov praised the relationship between Saudi Arabia and Uzbekistan, saying the Kingdom was one of the first countries to recognize the independence of Uzbekistan and sign a memorandum of understanding for the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1992.

He hailed the Saudi Fund for Development role in supporting a large number of projects in Uzbekistan, stressing that one of the most important project has been the construction of the Samarkand-Gozar road, for which the fund has contributed $30 million of the total $100 million cost.

He said the Saudi Fund for Development has also helped funding the construction of schools and medical centers, and drilling wells in the country, in addition to projects in healthcare, education, energy, transport and public utilities development in Uzbekistan.



GCC Welcomes Agreement between Yemen Govt, Houthis

Hans Grundberg, the U.N. special representative for Yemen, speaks during an interview with The Associated Press in Cairo, Egypt, on Aug. 28, 2023. (AP)
Hans Grundberg, the U.N. special representative for Yemen, speaks during an interview with The Associated Press in Cairo, Egypt, on Aug. 28, 2023. (AP)
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GCC Welcomes Agreement between Yemen Govt, Houthis

Hans Grundberg, the U.N. special representative for Yemen, speaks during an interview with The Associated Press in Cairo, Egypt, on Aug. 28, 2023. (AP)
Hans Grundberg, the U.N. special representative for Yemen, speaks during an interview with The Associated Press in Cairo, Egypt, on Aug. 28, 2023. (AP)

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi welcomed on Wednesday the agreement between the legitimate Yemeni government and Iran-backed Houthi militias to de-escalate the situation with regard to the Yemeni banking sector and airlines.

The agreement was announced by the United Nations Secretary-General's Special Envoy to Yemen, Hans Grundberg, on Tuesday.

Albudaiwi expressed the GCC's support for all regional and international efforts and the efforts led by the UN special envoy aimed at achieving peace and security in Yemen.

The announcement underscores the importance the international community attaches to the Yemeni crisis, he added, hoping the agreement will pave the way for Yemeni parties to start the political process, under UN auspices, to reach a comprehensive political solution that achieves security and stability in the country.

He reiterated the GCC's continued support and full solidarity with Yemen, its government and people, and its keenness to encourage all efforts to de-escalate and maintain stability in order to reach peace.