Qatar-Saudi expressed satisfaction over military cooperation

Qatar and Saudi Arabia discussed various aspects of their relationship, including political, military and economic ties, at the second session of the Qatari-Saudi Coordination Council held in Doha.

The meeting, held last Monday and yesterday, was chaired by the Heir Apparent H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on the Qatari side and the Saudi Second Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Prince Nayef bin Abdulaziz on the Saudi side. It was attended, among others, by the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister H E Sheikh Hamad bin Jassem bin Jabor Al Thani as the council’s deputy chairman, and Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al Faisal.

During the talks, the two sides affirmed their determination to cooperate and coordinate in all areas to preserve the security and stability of the two states. They also discussed regional and international issues of common concern and stressed the importance of continuing coordination and consultation about the latest developments at all bilateral and multilateral forums.

They also welcomed the signing of an agreement on diplomatic and consular cooperation between Qatar and Saudi Arabia.

The two sides expressed satisfaction over military cooperation between them and stressed continuous cooperation in this field as well as the enhancement of the exchange of information, visits, training courses and experience in specialised areas.

The two sides agreed to continue direct coordination between specialists from the interior ministries of the two countries in order to consult over the ways of revising and modernising an agreement on security cooperation and extradition between the interior ministries of Qatar and Saudi Arabia, effective since 1982, in the framework of the Qatar-Saudi Coordination Council and in light of the draft referred by Qatar.

They also expressed satisfaction over what has been reached with regard to a draft on cooperation between the governments of Qatar and Saudi Arabia in the field of civil defence and a draft agreement on cooperation in combating illicit trading in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances and precursor chemicals and trafficking, in preparation for signing them during the third session of the Qatari-Saudi Coordination Council in Saudi Arabia next year.

The two sides also reviewed financial, economic and investment cooperation and expressed their satisfaction over the economic integration the two countries have achieved as part of the GCC. They agreed to enhance cooperation in the fields of economy, finance, taxes and zakat (charity).

The two sides also agreed to study the preparation of a draft memorandum of understanding to establish a joint investment fund designed to cover the agreed upon investment areas, including the development of investments according to the regulations adopted in both countries, and to refer what they reach to the Joint Preparatory Committee of the Qatari-Saudi Joint Co-ordination Council.

The two sides expressed satisfaction with the level of trade exchange between the two countries which rose from QR2,018m in 2003 to QR6,687m in 2008 and stressed the importance of continued support in appropriate ways, including the establishment of trade fairs and holding seminars and meetings between businessmen in both countries in order to provide a suitable environment to promote economic ties and benefit from the economies of both countries and the establishment of joint ventures.

The two sides welcomed the signing of the minutes of exchange of instruments of ratification of the Memorandum of Understanding for cooperation between the Ministry of Business and Trade in Qatar and the Ministry of Trade and Industry in Saudi Arabia signed in Riyadh on December 16, 2008.

They also welcomed the signing, during this session, of the implementing programme of the memorandum of understanding for co-operation between the Ministry of Business and Trade in Qatar and the Ministry of Trade and Industry in Saudi Arabia.

The two sides welcomed the signing of a memorandum of understanding on industrial cooperation between the Qatari Ministry of Energy and Industry and the Saudi Arabia Ministry of Trade and Industry during this session.

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