Riyadh, SPA:
The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chaired the Cabinet's session at Al-Yamamah palace in Riyadh on Monday afternoon.
At the outset of the session, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques briefed the Cabinet on the content of the telephone call he received from President Donald Trump of the United States of America during which they discussed the historical ties and the latest developments in the region and the world, as well as the strategic partnership for the twenty-first century and the importance of enhancing the economic,

security and military cooperation with their confirmation on the depth of the strategic relationship between the two countries, and the identical in their views relating the files that have been discussed, including the fight against terrorism, extremism and funding and how to develop appropriate mechanisms for that, in addition to confronting those who seek to undermine security and stability in the region and interfere in the internal affairs of other States, and what has been expressed by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques of support for the establishment of safe zones in Syria, and Trump's commending and support for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030.

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques also briefed the Cabinet on the results of his talks with President Omar Hassan Al-Bashir of the Republic of Sudan and their review of the fraternal relations between the two countries and ways of enhancing them in various fields, in addition to discussing the latest developments at the regional and international levels.

Moreover, the King briefed the Cabinet on the content of the message he received from President Francois Hollande of the French Republic, and his receiving of Rasim Ljajic, Serbian Deputy Premier,

Minister of Trade, Tourism and Communications and Chairman of the Serbian economic delegation and Mirko Markovic, Bosnian Deputy Premier, Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations and Chairman of the Bosnian economic delegation.

In his statement to Saudi Press Agency (SPA) after the session, the Minister of Culture and Information Dr. Adel Zaid Altoraifi stated that the Cabinet then reviewed a number of issues on local affairs, praising the accomplishments being achieved by the brave security men in various security sectors and their great efforts in the fight against terrorism, noting in this regard, the results of the investigations reached by the security authorities following their raid on two hideouts of a terrorist cell in Jeddah, which confirmed how extremely dangerous was this terrorist cell, and that the Cabinet expressed its appreciation and pride of all the security men for their great efforts, sacrifices and heroic deeds against terrorist organizations targeting the security and stability of the kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its capabilities, youth and citizens and residents living safely across its territories.

The Cabinet extended thanks and appreciation to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques for his great interest in developing the military capabilities of the kingdom, praising in this context his patronage of King Faisal Air College's ceremony on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of its foundation, and the graduation ceremony of the 91th batch of the college's cadets as well as launching the new Jet F15 -SA,

which joined the fleet of Saudi Royal Air Force, pointing out that this patronage comes as affirmation and support being accorded by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques for the armed forces in all its branches and reflecting his great interest in developing and strengthening the military and defense capabilities of the Kingdom and providing them with the latest technology with the investment in Saudi cadres and qualifying them at the highest levels.

Minister Altoraifi further said after that the Cabinet discussed a number of reports on the latest developments and events in the region and the world, and condemned the Israeli authorities' approval to construct hundreds of new settlement units inside the settlements already established in the territories of the occupied Al-Quads, stressing that these actions aimed at the Judaization of large parts of the West Bank, including Al-Quds are contrary to the will of the international community rejecting any changes on the ground and to human rights Act and the UN Charters and standing up against bringing peace and stability in the region.

Dr. Altoraifi said that the Council of Ministers briefed on the topics listed on its agenda. The Cabinet has decided the following:

First:
The cabinet approved the addition of the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance; Saudi standards, Metrology and Quality Organization and General Authority for Meteorology and Environmental Protection to the membership of the Supreme Committee formed under clause (II) of the Cabinet's decision No. (350) dated 03/11/1434 H, to supervise the implementation of the national strategic plan for traffic safety.

Second:
After review of the report submitted by President of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage and after consideration of the Shura Council's decision No. (169/64) dated 28/02/1438 H., the Cabinet approved the memorandum of understanding for cooperation in the field of tourism between Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Ministry of Tourism of the United Mexican States, signed in Riyadh on 07/04/1437 H.
A royal decree has been prepared in this regard.

Third:
The Cabinet approved a memorandum of understanding regarding the political consultations between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Peru, signed in Riyadh on 27/01/1437H.

Fourth:
The Cabinet authorized the Minister of Foreign Affairs or his deputy to discuss and sign with the Maldivian side a draft general agreement for cooperation between the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Government of the Republic of Maldives.

Fifth:
The Cabinet approved the agreement between the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Government of Turkmenistan regarding avoidance double taxation and prevention of tax evasion with respect to taxes on income and on capital, signed in Riyadh on 07/24/1437H.

Sixth:
The Cabinet approved the agreement between the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Government of the Republic of Malta in the field of air transport services, signed in Riyadh on 15/11/1436H.

Seventh:
The Cabinet approved the agreement of air services between the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Government of Turkmenistan signed in Riyadh on 24/7/1437H.

Eighth:
The Cabinet approved that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is to join the memorandum of understanding on the conservation of migratory sharks and the memorandum of understanding on the conservation of migratory birds of prey in Africa, Europe and Asia.

Ninth:
The Cabinet approved appointment of Bandar bin Anwar Al-Shehri and renewing membership of Talat bin Zaki Hafiz who have good experience and opinions as two members of the Board of Directors of the Radio and Television Commission for three years.

Tenth:
The Cabinet approved the unified agreement on value added tax (VAT) and selective taxes and selective taxes in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Member States.
The Cabinet was briefed on a number of general topics on its agenda and issued its directives in this regard.