Saudi Foreign Minister hails strong ties with EU
Date
5/31/2016 7:45:33 AM
(MENAFN- Emirates News Agency (WAM))
JEDDAH, 31st May, 2016 (WAM) -- Saudi Foreign Minister, Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir, has said that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the European Union enjoy strong ties in the economic, political, educational and social spheres, noting that the European Union countries are key partners with the Kingdom in all fields.
According to the Saudi Press Agency, SPA, the minister made the remarks during a press conference held in Jeddah today with the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini.
The Saudi Foreign Minister said that they discussed matters of common interest to both sides, including economic matters and the issue of visas, education, the contribution of Europe in the application of the Kingdom Vision 2030, the regional situations in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq , Yemen and Libya, and the issue of cooperation in the field of terrorism and extremism.
The minister explained that the positions of the two parties are identical, reiterating the Kingdom's positions concerning Syria, Yemen and Libya.
Al-Jubeir thanked the EU countries for their positions in support of the Syrian brothers and for their economic support for Syrian refugees in neighboring countries and Europe.
With regard to the Syrian issue, he explained that there is an international consensus that the solution must be under the term of the Geneva 1 talks and UN Security Council Resolution No. 2254, which call for the establishment of a transitional authority to take the power from Bashar Al-Assad, run the affairs of the country, establish a new constitution and prepare for new elections in Syria for a better future. He said that countries are working according to this international consensus.
Al-Jubeir said that there is military support for moderate Syrian opposition and this support is continuing. He added that what the Vienna Group has done is to test the intentions of Bashar Al-Assad's regime and his seriousness about the cessation of the military operations, the access of humanitarian aid to all areas in Syria and also a test of the transitional process.
"Bashar Al-Assad's regime was not serious about all that, but things are moving in the desired direction and the hopes and aspirations of the Syrian people in building a new nation that does not include Bashar Al-Assad will be achieved," the Saudi Foreign Minister concluded.
WAM/AAMIR/Moran/tfaham