Riyadh, SPA:
The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chaired the Cabinet's session held at Al-Yamamah Palace here yesterday.
At the outset of the session, the King briefed the Cabinet on the results of his official talks with President Vladimir Putin of the Russian Federation, including reviewing distinguished relations between the two countries in various fields, citing the Kingdom's appreciation of the Russian Federation and its active role in the region and the world, and the Kingdom's aspiration to working in all that would bring security, stability and peace, confront extremism and promote economic growth, in addition to working on joint investment and trade opportunities between the two sides, which will have great positive results on the interests of the two countries and peoples.
The Cabinet commended the Saudi-Russian energy partnership, the signing of the cooperation agreement between the oil producing countries, the exchange of agreements, memorandums of understanding and cooperation programs between the governments of the Kingdom and Russia, as this represents a new stage of cooperation and integration in many developmental areas aimed at achieving prosperity and progress in both countries and the two sides working to develop them on a more solid, strong and sustainable basis. It also commended the alignment between the ambitions and strategic objectives of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 and the Russian strategic development plans, and expanding cooperation between the energy sector and various developmental, economic and financial sectors.
The Cabinet reviewed the talks of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense with President Vladimir Putin, citing promising opportunities in various fields, including cooperation in energy and latest developments in the Syrian and Yemeni arenas, as well as the emphasis by HRH Crown Prince with the Russian President during co-chairing the first meeting of the Saudi-Russian Economic Committee on the importance of continuing cooperation, building the strategic partnership between the two countries, discussing and developing available opportunities and more joint investment and production projects in line with the Kingdom's Vision 2030.
Minister of Media Turki bin Abdullah Al-Shabanah said, following the session, in a statement to the Saudi Press Agency that the Cabinet reviewed the Saudi-Russian CEO Forum, citing the future of energy, solutions for its sustainability, existing and future investments between the two countries, opportunities for joint cooperation, agricultural sustainability and global food security, through the partnership between the two countries through the Saudi-Russian Committee, and in the framework of the Kingdom's continued keenness on a greater success for a sustainable national economy as one of strong and growing economies of the G20 and its high value investment opportunities.
The Cabinet expressed congratulations to Kais Saied, on winning the presidential elections, in Tunisia, wishing the brotherly Republic of Tunisia steady progress and prosperity.
The Minister said that the Cabinet reviewed a number of reports on the latest developments, in the regional and international arenas, reiterating the Kingdom's condemnation of the aggression launched by Turkey against the northeastern regions of Syria, and the threat it poses to regional peace and security, and negative repercussions on the security and stability of the region.
In this context, the Cabinet referred to the demands contained in the final decision of the emergency meeting of the Council of Arab League, held at the level of foreign minister, calling upon the UN Security Council to take the necessary measures to stop the Turkish aggression, dismissing it as a clear violation of the principles of the UN Charter and Security Council resolutions and calling for preserving the unity and independence of Syria.
The necessity of adopting the political track is the only way to settle the crisis and solve all repercussions, in a way that guarantees the commitment of international law and realizes the security of Syria, its neighbors and the countries of the region.
The Cabinet also renewed the Kingdom's condemnation and denunciation of the bombings that targeted a bus carrying security forces, in the city of Jalalabad, in eastern Afghanistan, and the terrorist attack on a mosque, in Salmousi area, north of Burkina Faso, resulted in a number of deaths and injuries.
The Kingdom stressed its stand and solidarity with the brotherly Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and the Government of Burkina Faso against terrorism and extremism, wishing the injured a speedy recovery.
The Cabinet issued the following decisions:
First:
To authorize the Minister of Commerce and Investment or his deputy to discuss with the Dominican side a draft memorandum of understanding between the Ministry of Commerce and Investment of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Dominican Republic, regarding the promotion of trade, investment and production chains, and submit the final signed version, to complete formal procedures.
Second:
To authorize the Minister of Media and Chairman of the Saudi Press Agency or his deputy to discuss with the Lebanese side a draft cooperation agreement between the Saudi Press Agency, in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the National News Agency of the Republic of Lebanon, and submit the final signed version, to complete formal procedures.
Third:
To authorize the Board of Grievances to discuss a draft memorandum of understanding between the Board of Grievances, in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Case Western Reserve University, in the United States of America, in the field of research and training, sign it and submit it to complete formal procedures.
Fourth:
To authorize the President of the General Auditing Bureau or his deputy to discuss with the Indonesian side a draft memorandum of understanding between the General Auditing Bureau of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Audit Office of the Republic of Indonesia, to cooperate in the field of accountability, auditing and professional, sign the final version and submit it to complete formal procedures.
Fifth:
To authorize the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) or his deputy to discuss with the European Food Safety Authority a draft Memorandum of Understanding between the SFDA and the European Food Safety Authority, in the field of food safety and risk assessment, sign it and submit the final version to complete formal procedures.
Sixth:
To authorize the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) or his deputy to discuss with the Portuguese side a draft memorandum of understanding between the SFDA, in Saudi Arabia, and the National Authority of Medicines and Health Products, in the Republic of Portugal, in the field of regulating medicines, devices, medical supplies and beauty products, sign it and submit the final version to complete formal procedures.
Seventh:
To approve the following appointments:
Abdulrahman bin Mohammed Ramzi Addas, Munir bin Fahd Al-Sahli and Dr. Mohammed bin Faraj Al-Zahrani, as well experienced and opinion-wise members, at the Board of Directors of the Environment Fund.
Eighth:
To approve the final account of the Decision Support Center, for two previous fiscal years.
Ninth:
The Cabinet approved promotion to ranks 15 and 14, as follows:
1- Ibrahim bin Abdulaziz bin Ibrahim Al-Qabaa to the post of Administrative Expert, rank 15, at the of the Board of Grievances.
2- Muhanna bin Ibrahim bin Mohammed Al-Muhanna to the post of Director General of Financial Affairs, rank 14, at the Ministry of Defense.
3- Eng. Abdulelah bin Ali bin Saeed bin Mushait to the post of Director General of the Ministry's branch, in Riyadh Region, rank 14, at the Ministry of Commerce and Investment.
4- Mustafa bin Mohammed bin Mustafa Akhimi to the post of the Director General of Administrative and Financial Affairs, rank 14, at the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs.
5- Abdullah bin Yahiya bin Ahmed Mohammed Musa to the post of Director General of Water, rank 14, at the General Directorate of Water Services, in Asir Region.
6- Promotion of Ahmed bin Ali bin Suleiman Al-Muhanna to the post of administrative consultant (14th rank) of the Board of Grievances.
7- Mohammed bin Hassan Al-Osaimi to the position of Regular Expert B, 14 rank, in the Commission of Experts' of the Cabinet.
The Cabinet reviewed a number of general topics on its agenda and made appropriate recommendations, in their regard.