Riyadh, SPA:
Under the chairmanship of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Prime Minister, the Cabinet held a virtual meeting today.
At the outset of the meeting, the Cabinet reviewed the latest developments and health and preventive measures to cope with the Coronavirus COVID-19 in view of the local and international relevant reports. The Cabinet was reassured of the cases recorded in the Kingdom, their health situations, the medical services being provided for them as well as the continuing efforts being rendered by the concerned authorities, levels of preparedness and future prospects to preserve public health and limit the impacts of COVID-19 pandemic at all levels. The Cabinet was briefed on the results of the active survey on a number of districts as the move contributes to scrutinizing the spots of spread of the disease and whereabouts of the suspects prior to treating them and preventing further outbreaks.
The Cabinet followed-up the services being provided for Saudi nationals abroad who expressed wish to return to the Kingdom amid the spread of COVID-19 outside, including the potentials put under their disposal in implementation to the instructions of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Deputy Prime Minister, reflecting part of their keenness on the safety and health of citizens and follow up of their situations through reassuring the provision of all services and care for them.
The Cabinet hailed the strenuous and distinguished efforts being exerted by government agencies, ad hoc committees and task teams to combat Coronavirus COVID-19 and tackle the impacts incurred, on the health aspect in particular.
In a statement to the Saudi Press Agency following the meeting, Acting Minister of Media Dr. Majed bin Abdullah Al-Gasabi said that the Cabinet highlighted the Kingdom's position announced at the virtual summit of the Non-Aligned Movement, citing its commitment to the objectives and principles of the movement, unifying the efforts of member states against the common threat of COVID-19 targeting everyone, through enhancing the world response to confront its health, economic and social repercussions and taking urgent world-wide measures to combat health pandemics and guarantee treating their negative effects.
Following that, the Cabinet was briefed on the outcome of the extraordinary meeting of the Arab League Council at the foreign ministers level, denouncing the plots of the Israel occupational authorities to annex any of the occupied Palestinian territories. The Kingdom put it unequivocally at the meeting that the Palestinian issue was and is still the Arab and Muslims central issue and the first priority for the Kingdom since its inception as it rejected any measure or type of occupation of the Palestinian territories and stood steadfast by the side of the Palestinian people in support of their options to achieve their hopes and aspirations in establishing an independent state on the 1967 parallel with East Al-Quds as capital.
The Cabinet renewed the Kingdom's condemnation and denunciation of the terrorist attack that occurred in Sinai, and resulted in Killing and wounding a number of men in the Egyptian armed forces.
The Cabinet also affirmed the Kingdom's solidarity with the Arab Republic of Egypt in its war on terrorism, expressing condolences and sympathy to the government and people of Egypt and to the families of the victims, and wishes for the speedy recovery.
The Cabinet reviewed topics on its agenda, including some being co-studied by the Shura Council. The Cabinet was also briefed on the outcomes reached by the Economic and Development Affairs Council, the Political and Security Affairs Council, the General Committee of the Cabinet, and the Bureau of Experts at the Cabinet with regarding the topics on the agenda.
The Cabinet decided the following:
First:
The Cabinet authorized the Minister of Culture or his deputy to discuss with the French side a draft of memorandum of understanding for cooperation in the cultural field between the Ministry of Culture in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Ministry of Culture in the Republic of France, sign it, and submit the final version to complete formal procedures.
Second:
The Cabinet authorized the Minister of Information, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) or his deputy to negotiate with the Kyrgyz side on a draft memorandum of understanding for cooperation and exchange of news between the Saudi Press Agency and the Kyrgyz National News Agency, sign it, and submit the final version to complete formal procedures.
Third:
The Cabinet approved a memorandum of understanding between the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the government of the Republic of Djibouti in the field of environment.
Fourth:
The Cabinet approved an agreement between the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Government of Commonwealth of The Bahamas in the field of air transport services.
Fifth:
The Cabinet authorized the Minister of Transport, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the General Authority of Civil Aviation or his deputy to sign a draft agreement between the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Government of the Republic of Mozambique in the field of air transport services, sign it, and submit the final version to complete formal procedures.
Sixth:
Approval of a memorandum of understanding between the General Auditing Bureau in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Federal Board of Supreme Audit in the Republic of Iraq for cooperation in the field of accounting, auditing and professional work.
Seventh:
Approval of the strategy for developing external advertisements inside Saudi cities, as stated in the decision.
Eighth:
Approval of amending Article (14) of the Board of Grievances, issued by Decree No. (M / 78) dated 9/19/1428 H by adding the phrase “and the Public Prosecution Council” to it.
Ninth:
Approval of the continuation of the work of the Supervisory Committee of the National Program for Crafts and Handicrafts, stipulated in paragraph (3) of item (second) of Cabinet Resolution No. (175) dated 2/6/1433 AH, and the National Program for the Development of Crafts and Handicrafts, stipulated in item (second) of the aforementioned Cabinet Resolution, until the Heritage Authority begins its duties and responsibilities related to crafts and handicrafts, according to what was included in item (third) of Cabinet Resolution No. (398) dated 10/6/1441 AH, the Cabinet also agreed to add a member from the Ministry of Culture to the aforementioned supervisory committee.
Tenth:
The cabinet approved a number of promotions for 14th Ranks.
The Cabinet was briefed on a number of issues on its agenda, including an annual report of King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy for a previous fiscal year. In this regard, the Cabinet took relevant recommendations.