Editor's Note:
Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz has wrapped up a three-day visit to Russia that highlighted the growing cooperation between Moscow and Riyadh. The visit follows a historic trip by President Vladimir Putin to Saudi Arabia earlier this year, the first official visit of a Russian leader to the Kingdom. The developments in the Russian-Saudi relationship reflect Moscow's more muscular foreign policy according to Dr. Marat Terterov of the Gulf Research Center as well as wariness among Gulf states over U.S. foreign policy in the region. Terterov, writing this week in Arab News -- in an article provided in a separate SUSRIS IOI -- argued that:
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"Saudi Arabia and the rest of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states remain firm allies of the US, they are nevertheless concerned � even alarmed � by the manner in which Washington is imposing its
uni-polar foreign policy will in the Gulf and the heightening of security concerns that many in the regional believe stems directly from this. As a result, Russia, now flush with
petro-dollars and seeking to rival US foreign policy initiatives where possible, is returning to some of the strategic regions of the world where Soviet influence was once extensive. This, in turn opens new opportunities also for the GCC states to assess the status of their strategic relations with Moscow and to see where both sides can come together in agreement."
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Today we provide for your consideration an article on Crown Prince Sultan's Moscow visit and, in a separate item, Dr. Terterov's essay on GCC-Russian relations.
Kingdom, Russia to Work Together for Middle East Peace
Arab News
MOSCOW, 24 November 2007 � Saudi Arabia and Russia, the world�s largest oil producers and exporters, yesterday agreed to make joint efforts to achieve peace and stability in the Middle East as well as to expand their cooperation in the energy sector.
In a joint communiqu� issued at the conclusion of Crown Prince Sultan�s three-day official visit to Moscow, the two countries called for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state and enhancing facilities to provide assistance to the Palestinians.
�Finding a just and comprehensive solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict on the basis of international resolutions is essential to bring about stability in the region and promote world peace and security,� the Saudi Press Agency said quoting the communiqu�.
Saudi Arabia praised Russia for its efforts to achieve a Middle East peace settlement. The communiqu� hoped that the international peace conference in Annapolis on Nov. 27 would tackle core issues of the Arab-Israeli conflict in order to achieve a just and comprehensive peace in all tracks within a timeframe.
Prince Sultan held talks with President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin yesterday and emphasized the importance of strengthening Saudi-Russian relations in all areas and enhancing coordination to protect mutual interests. Sultan highlighted the distinguished relations between the two countries. He also commended Russia�s positive stance toward regional and international issues.
The talks were attended by State Minister Dr. Musaed Al-Aiban, Finance Minister Dr. Ibrahim Al-Assaf and Russian Foreign Minister Sergi Lavrov. Putin later hosted a luncheon in honor of the crown prince and his delegation.
Earlier, Lavrov described Sultan�s meeting with Putin as the �main point� of his visit to Moscow, which he said would focus on implementing agreements penned when Putin went to Riyadh.
�Both sides are satisfied,� Lavrov said, adding that Russia-Saudi ties had entered a phase of �intense development.�
According to diplomatic sources in Riyadh, the two countries were to reach a �framework agreement for military cooperation� that would open the way for Saudi Arabia to buy Russian arms.
Speaking earlier this year after Putin�s visit to Riyadh, Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal said that the Kingdom was in talks with Russia over the possible purchase of Russian weapons. But the final communiqu� issued after Sultan�s visit did not mention anything about an arms deal.
The source, who requested anonymity, said Sultan�s talks with Putin would lead to an understanding on the sale of about 150 Russian T-90 battle tanks to the Kingdom. The source said tests were carried out on the T-90 in Saudi Arabia last year to determine the tank�s suitability for harsh desert conditions, and Russia is also looking to sell Mi-17 helicopters.
The joint communiqu� emphasized the need for protecting Iraq�s independence and sovereignty and stopping interference in the war-torn country�s affairs. The two sides also said that the presidential elections in Lebanon must be held without foreign interference.
Saudi Arabia and Russia urged all countries in the Middle East, including Israel to join the nuclear nonproliferation treaty and keep the region free of the weapons of mass destruction. They also supported a diplomatic solution to Iran�s nuclear standoff with the West and urged Tehran to comply with UN resolutions 1696, 1737 and 1747 and cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
The two sides denounced all forms of terrorism and called for joint global efforts to fight terror. Moscow praised the proposal made by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah to establish an international counterterrorism center.
Russia commended Saudi Arabia�s balanced petroleum policies, being a secure and dependable energy supplier. �The two sides emphasized their resolve to increase bilateral cooperation in the energy sector as well as in economic, commercial, cultural, scientific, technological and transport sectors,� the communiqu� said.
On Thursday, while speaking to Arab ambassadors accredited to Russia, Sultan said Saudi Arabia would not differentiate between Russia and other countries such as the US, UK and France. �What concerns us the most is Arab interests before anything else,� he said and emphasized the importance of Arab unity.
He also spoke about the growing Saudi-Russian relations. �Russia is with us, supporting our causes, especially Palestine and Iraq,� he said.
Prince Sultan, who arrived here on Wednesday, received a honorary doctorate from Moscow State University of International Relations.
Addressing a ceremony at the university, Sultan said the Middle East was passing through a dangerous phase of conflicts. The situation demands that both the Kingdom and Russia double their efforts to settle the issues in a peaceful manner, he added.
Source: Arab News
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