nah i really don't care
they have huge oil money they can invest on anything they want. we have oil too but we try reduce our dependence to oil money for some reasons...
everybody has right to build their beautiful and safe country
...Sources in Riyadh Post: King Salman in Russia early October
- Thread starter The SC
- Start date
they have huge oil money they can invest on anything they want. we have oil too but we try reduce our dependence to oil money for some reasons...
everybody has right to build their beautiful and safe country
...
Sinnerman108
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Last time MBS visit Moscow
now King Salman visit Moscow
Both these meetings coincide with some thing else also happening in the background
Lets wait for a week, and we will see.
now King Salman visit Moscow
Both these meetings coincide with some thing else also happening in the background
Lets wait for a week, and we will see.
The SC
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Russian newspaper RBK: # Russia is expected to sell modern ships and destroyers to Saudi Arabia, during the meeting of King-Salman with Putin..
https://t.co/5Mq0kzR2CF
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Aramco and Russ Oil giant, Planning to Build the World's Largest Petrochemical Plant in the world # Vision Saudi Arabia_2030
#Saudi Arabia's vision_2030
Saudi Interpol ® @saudi_interpol
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# Putin: # Russia is considering projects in the billions $ in cooperation with Saudi Arabia in the field of localization of the military technical industry..
Saudi Interpol ® @saudi_interpol
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Saif al-Arab
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Very exciting news!
BTW it is more or less confirmed that King Salman and a large business delegation will spend 4 days in Russia. This will not be a small visit.
@vostok we need information from Russian sources. Thank you in advance!
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Saif al-Arab
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King Salman to lead high-level delegation to Russia
MARIA DUBOVIKOVA | Published — Monday 2 October 2017
Saudi King Salman and Russian President Vladimir Putin meet at the G-20 Summit in Antalya, Turkey, in this Nov. 16, 2015 photo. The two leaders will be meeting again when King Salman leads a high-powered delegation to Russia in the next few days. (SPA file photo)
MOSCOW: King Salman will arrive in Russia in the next few days at the head of a high-powered delegation of key government and private-sector figures.
Preparations for the visit, the first by a reigning Saudi monarch, “have entered a final stage,” the Russian President Vladimir Putin’s spokesperson Dimitry Peskov said on Sunday.
“Saudi Arabia plays an important role in Arab and inter-Arab affairs as one of the leaders of the Arab world,” he said. “Our main hope is that this visit will give new impetus to the development of bilateral relations, because the potential of our relationship is much richer than the de facto situation.
“Certainly, Russia is interested in maintaining a dialogue, including a discussion of the situation in the Middle East and in Syria in particular.”
Andrey Baklanov, former Russian ambassador to Saudi Arabia and president of the Russian Association of Diplomats, said he had high hopes for the visit.
“The level of talks we had with the Saudis in the past, and the mutual cooperation, will give impetus to more stable relations. In the past, Russia and Saudi Arabia were in cyclical relations, drifting from being active and positive to fading,” Baklanov told Arab News.
Venyamin Popov, a leading Russian diplomat and coordinator of the Group of Strategic Vision (Russia-Islamic World), said Saudi Arabia and Russia had reached a mutual understanding, especially in the energy field.
“Through our cooperation with the Saudis, the price of oil has reached $56 per barrel. This is a mutual benefit,” he said. “We have great prospects in other fields of cooperation, as in the case of Syria, as we in Russia and Saudi Arabia seek the integrity of Syria.”
Nikolay Sukhov, senior researcher at the Institute of Oriental Studies under the Russian Academy of Sciences, said the two countries would have to tackle many obstacles before reaching compromises.
“In spite of all the challenges and hindrances, there are ways and means to reach compromises through bilateral cooperation,” he said.
http://www.arabnews.com/node/1170911/saudi-arabia
Saudi King Salman to start Russia visit on Thursday
Arab News | Published — Monday 2 October 2017
Saudi Arabia's King Salman. (File photo by REUTERS)
JEDDAH: Saudi King Salman is set to visit Russia on Thursday, Oct. 5, at the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.
During his visit, the two leaders will discuss bilateral relations and means of enhancing them in many areas of cooperation, as well as regional and international issues of common interest.
http://www.arabnews.com/node/1171136/saudi-arabia
Maria Dubovikova | Published — Monday 2 October 2017
Oil, trade and security on agenda, but Syria tops the list
This week’s visit to Russia by King Salman, the first by a reigning Saudi monarch, conveys to Moscow the message that the Kingdom is ready to open a new page in the relationship between the two countries.
The ties go back almost a century. In 1926, the former Soviet Union was the first country to establish full diplomatic relations with what was then the Kingdom of Hejaz and Najd.
“His Majesty’s visit to Russia will be historic because it will symbolize the extent of the relationship and consultations that take place between the two countries,” the Saudi Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubeir said.
“Our two countries are much more closely allied than some of the analysts, I would say, try to portray. We are both oil producers, we share an interest in a stable oil market. We have enhanced Russian investments in Saudi Arabia, and Saudi investments in Russia. We have cultural, educational and scientific relations that we are developing. We are also working very closely in the area of security to counter extremism, to counter terrorism.”
The two countries will give new impetus to their existing understandings on oil production and oil exports, to keep the world market stable. The large size and high level of the Saudi delegation reflects the importance of the visit to Moscow, which regards Riyadh as a potential source of investment to help Russia weather the economic sanctions imposed by the West.
During previous visits by Saudi officials, Riyadh pledged to invest $10 billion in the Russian Direct Investment Fund. The Kingdom will also be looking to enhance its food and water security by investing in Russian land to boost its strategic reserves, benefiting from Russia’s relative political and economic stagnation.
The Kremlin spokesman Dimitry Peskov said Saudi Arabia played a major role in Arab affairs and relations between Arab countries, and was a leader in the Arab world. Russia would be seeking to bolster dialogue, he said, with discussions on the situation in the Middle East, and in Syria in particular.
The conflict in Syria will be a major topic of discussion between King Salman and the Russian President Vladimir Putin. While Russia is a key backer of Bashar Assad’s regime, Saudi Arabia has been a leading supporter of the opposition. However, Riyadh has adjusted its policy, and has asked opposition leaders to start thinking about how to stabilize their country.
Saudi Arabia appears to have reached a judgment that it is the Russian intervention in the conflict, not that of the US, which has finally managed to establish de-escalation and cease-fire zones in a country that has been at war for more than seven years; a symbolic manifestation of the Russian strategy in the MENA region.
King Salman’s unprecedented visit to Russia will solidify ties that go back almost a century.
Maria Dubovikova
Strained relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran will also be on the agenda. Riyadh should not put all its eggs in one basket; it can have prosperous relations with Russia in terms of economy, energy, investments and military, away from regional political complexities, as Russia is not going to change its view of Iran.
Nevertheless, there is no reason why this should affect the mutual interests of Russia and Saudi Arabia. There are opportunities for joint ventures in petrochemical industries, liquefied natural gas and other technologies. The two countries’ major oil companies, Rosneft and Aramco, have said they would consider joint projects in Saudi Arabia.
There is no doubt that the Qatar crisis will also be discussed, since the Anti-Terror Quartet (ATQ) of Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt and Bahrain imposed a trade and travel boycott on Qatar in June over its support for extremist groups. Russia has not publicly taken sides in the dispute, but it still views its relations with Doha as non-negotiable.
Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, a frequent visitor to Russia, met President Putin at the Kremlin in May, when they agreed to enhance cooperation on oil and energy, and to narrow the gap between them on the Syrian conflict. That visit followed US President Donald Trump’s trip to Riyadh and his meeting with Arab and Muslim leaders.
Astutely, Saudi leaders are looking both east and west to safeguard the country’s interests. They can benefit from Russia’s growing influence in the region, and its role as a superpower at the international levels.
There is optimism that King Salman’s visit comes at at the right time, as the MENA region undergoes critical and significant changes. However, it will take time for concrete outcomes to emerge, because of the type of joint projects and ventures the two countries are seeking to establish. Nevertheless, Moscow and Riyadh are on the right track to achieve results that serve the people of both countries.
• Maria Dubovikova is a prominent political commentator, researcher and expert on Middle East affairs. She is president of the Moscow-based International Middle Eastern Studies Club (IMESClub). Twitter: @politblogme
http://www.arabnews.com/node/1171336
MARIA DUBOVIKOVA | Published — Monday 2 October 2017
Saudi King Salman and Russian President Vladimir Putin meet at the G-20 Summit in Antalya, Turkey, in this Nov. 16, 2015 photo. The two leaders will be meeting again when King Salman leads a high-powered delegation to Russia in the next few days. (SPA file photo)
MOSCOW: King Salman will arrive in Russia in the next few days at the head of a high-powered delegation of key government and private-sector figures.
Preparations for the visit, the first by a reigning Saudi monarch, “have entered a final stage,” the Russian President Vladimir Putin’s spokesperson Dimitry Peskov said on Sunday.
“Saudi Arabia plays an important role in Arab and inter-Arab affairs as one of the leaders of the Arab world,” he said. “Our main hope is that this visit will give new impetus to the development of bilateral relations, because the potential of our relationship is much richer than the de facto situation.
“Certainly, Russia is interested in maintaining a dialogue, including a discussion of the situation in the Middle East and in Syria in particular.”
Andrey Baklanov, former Russian ambassador to Saudi Arabia and president of the Russian Association of Diplomats, said he had high hopes for the visit.
“The level of talks we had with the Saudis in the past, and the mutual cooperation, will give impetus to more stable relations. In the past, Russia and Saudi Arabia were in cyclical relations, drifting from being active and positive to fading,” Baklanov told Arab News.
Venyamin Popov, a leading Russian diplomat and coordinator of the Group of Strategic Vision (Russia-Islamic World), said Saudi Arabia and Russia had reached a mutual understanding, especially in the energy field.
“Through our cooperation with the Saudis, the price of oil has reached $56 per barrel. This is a mutual benefit,” he said. “We have great prospects in other fields of cooperation, as in the case of Syria, as we in Russia and Saudi Arabia seek the integrity of Syria.”
Nikolay Sukhov, senior researcher at the Institute of Oriental Studies under the Russian Academy of Sciences, said the two countries would have to tackle many obstacles before reaching compromises.
“In spite of all the challenges and hindrances, there are ways and means to reach compromises through bilateral cooperation,” he said.
http://www.arabnews.com/node/1170911/saudi-arabia
Saudi King Salman to start Russia visit on Thursday
Arab News | Published — Monday 2 October 2017
Saudi Arabia's King Salman. (File photo by REUTERS)
JEDDAH: Saudi King Salman is set to visit Russia on Thursday, Oct. 5, at the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.
During his visit, the two leaders will discuss bilateral relations and means of enhancing them in many areas of cooperation, as well as regional and international issues of common interest.
http://www.arabnews.com/node/1171136/saudi-arabia
Maria Dubovikova | Published — Monday 2 October 2017
Oil, trade and security on agenda, but Syria tops the list
This week’s visit to Russia by King Salman, the first by a reigning Saudi monarch, conveys to Moscow the message that the Kingdom is ready to open a new page in the relationship between the two countries.
The ties go back almost a century. In 1926, the former Soviet Union was the first country to establish full diplomatic relations with what was then the Kingdom of Hejaz and Najd.
“His Majesty’s visit to Russia will be historic because it will symbolize the extent of the relationship and consultations that take place between the two countries,” the Saudi Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubeir said.
“Our two countries are much more closely allied than some of the analysts, I would say, try to portray. We are both oil producers, we share an interest in a stable oil market. We have enhanced Russian investments in Saudi Arabia, and Saudi investments in Russia. We have cultural, educational and scientific relations that we are developing. We are also working very closely in the area of security to counter extremism, to counter terrorism.”
The two countries will give new impetus to their existing understandings on oil production and oil exports, to keep the world market stable. The large size and high level of the Saudi delegation reflects the importance of the visit to Moscow, which regards Riyadh as a potential source of investment to help Russia weather the economic sanctions imposed by the West.
During previous visits by Saudi officials, Riyadh pledged to invest $10 billion in the Russian Direct Investment Fund. The Kingdom will also be looking to enhance its food and water security by investing in Russian land to boost its strategic reserves, benefiting from Russia’s relative political and economic stagnation.
The Kremlin spokesman Dimitry Peskov said Saudi Arabia played a major role in Arab affairs and relations between Arab countries, and was a leader in the Arab world. Russia would be seeking to bolster dialogue, he said, with discussions on the situation in the Middle East, and in Syria in particular.
The conflict in Syria will be a major topic of discussion between King Salman and the Russian President Vladimir Putin. While Russia is a key backer of Bashar Assad’s regime, Saudi Arabia has been a leading supporter of the opposition. However, Riyadh has adjusted its policy, and has asked opposition leaders to start thinking about how to stabilize their country.
Saudi Arabia appears to have reached a judgment that it is the Russian intervention in the conflict, not that of the US, which has finally managed to establish de-escalation and cease-fire zones in a country that has been at war for more than seven years; a symbolic manifestation of the Russian strategy in the MENA region.
King Salman’s unprecedented visit to Russia will solidify ties that go back almost a century.
Maria Dubovikova
Strained relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran will also be on the agenda. Riyadh should not put all its eggs in one basket; it can have prosperous relations with Russia in terms of economy, energy, investments and military, away from regional political complexities, as Russia is not going to change its view of Iran.
Nevertheless, there is no reason why this should affect the mutual interests of Russia and Saudi Arabia. There are opportunities for joint ventures in petrochemical industries, liquefied natural gas and other technologies. The two countries’ major oil companies, Rosneft and Aramco, have said they would consider joint projects in Saudi Arabia.
There is no doubt that the Qatar crisis will also be discussed, since the Anti-Terror Quartet (ATQ) of Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt and Bahrain imposed a trade and travel boycott on Qatar in June over its support for extremist groups. Russia has not publicly taken sides in the dispute, but it still views its relations with Doha as non-negotiable.
Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, a frequent visitor to Russia, met President Putin at the Kremlin in May, when they agreed to enhance cooperation on oil and energy, and to narrow the gap between them on the Syrian conflict. That visit followed US President Donald Trump’s trip to Riyadh and his meeting with Arab and Muslim leaders.
Astutely, Saudi leaders are looking both east and west to safeguard the country’s interests. They can benefit from Russia’s growing influence in the region, and its role as a superpower at the international levels.
There is optimism that King Salman’s visit comes at at the right time, as the MENA region undergoes critical and significant changes. However, it will take time for concrete outcomes to emerge, because of the type of joint projects and ventures the two countries are seeking to establish. Nevertheless, Moscow and Riyadh are on the right track to achieve results that serve the people of both countries.
• Maria Dubovikova is a prominent political commentator, researcher and expert on Middle East affairs. She is president of the Moscow-based International Middle Eastern Studies Club (IMESClub). Twitter: @politblogme
http://www.arabnews.com/node/1171336
Saif al-Arab
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King Salman’s summit with Putin will set road map for new order
GHAZANFAR ALI KHAN | Published — Wednesday 4 October 2017
A file photo of Saudi Arabia’s King Salman and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
RIYADH: As part of their pledge to ensure peace and security in the Middle East and the world at large, Saudi Arabia and Russia have set a course to build strong and pragmatic relations. King Salman’s visit to Russia, which begins on Thursday, will foster relations and establish a road map for collaboration, signaling yet another sea change in the ever-evolving global order.
In fact, Saudi-Russian relations are already at a high and cordial level, both in terms of shared interests and mutual understanding, despite differences over a few issues such as the Syrian conflict and the Iranian nuclear deal. But Riyadh and Moscow have renewed their commitment to narrow differences on such issues, as Riyadh moves ahead by adopting a more assertive line in its global and regional policy.
“The first ever official visit by a Saudi king to Moscow since the foundation of the Kingdom demonstrates that Riyadh is eager to keep a balance in its foreign policy and diversify its ties,” said Dr. Mona A. Almushait, a Shoura Council member.
“The Kingdom acknowledges the importance of Russia as a major global player, and its potential role in the region; and for Russia’s part, it is giving due importance to Riyadh’s political and strategic status in Russia-Arab relations.
“The Saudis see Russia in the role of a negotiator on all political issues including Syria and Yemen.”
While Saudi Arabia launched a military operation against Houthi rebels in Yemen, intensified support for Syrian rebels and cut diplomatic ties with Tehran, at the same time a visible trend in Saudi foreign policy was seen in its approach to Moscow. This was evident from the visit of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to Russia in May, and the visit of Sergey Lavrov, the Russian foreign minister, to Riyadh last month.
Russia’s policy in the Middle East is multidimensional, and calls for building strategic relations with influential regional actors. Pursuing a partnership with Saudi Arabia is now a priority for the Russian Federation and its leadership, because the Kingdom is a leading country in the region, as well as in the international community.
Like Russia, the Kingdom is also a major player in the global oil market. Changes in the region and around the world, as well as the launch in April 2016 of the Saudi Vision 2030, open up new opportunities for the two countries. Both realize that the current status of political dialogue needs to be strengthened.
While the positions of Moscow and Riyadh on Egypt and Tunisia coincide, they differ over Syria, because they disagree on Iran’s policy. The June 2015 meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Crown Prince Mohammed in St. Petersburg, and Putin’s meeting with King Salman in Antalya five months later, paved the way for more contacts and dialogue.
The two countries have similar positions on the resolution of the Middle East conflict based on the two-state solution. The convergence of Russian and Saudi positions was further promoted by Moscow’s decision to abstain from voting on Resolution 2216 on Yemen at the UN Security Council. Despite differences, Moscow and Riyadh are unanimous in their approach to stabilizing the situation in Lebanon and Iraq.
Russia is also well placed to talk to, or even mediate between, the Kingdom, Iran and Syria. For Saudi Arabia or even for the GCC and Arab League, Russia’s influence in Iran, Syria, Yemen, Turkey, and even Qatar, is a strategic asset. So Arabs, including Saudis, see Russia in the role of negotiator on all political issues.
As far as Egypt is concerned, the Kingdom and Russia welcomed the change of power in Egypt in 2013 and continue to support President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. Egypt’s procurement of Russian weapons was possible thanks to Saudi financial assistance to Cairo. The Kingdom also seems to have appreciated Russia’s restrained position on the Yemen issue.
No doubt all these issues, including the Qatar crisis, will be on the agenda of the Russia-Saudi summit this week. Until now, Russia has not taken sides in the dispute between Qatar and other Arab states, and it has a recent history of cooperation with all sides of this conflict. As a result, Moscow can be an honest broker when it comes to intensifying efforts to resolve key regional conflicts, including Qatar.
Two years ago the two countries had virtually no dialogue on commercial issues, even energy. But now they have made a joint effort to push for further cutting oil production to help bring up global oil prices. Russia and Saudi Arabia are considering an OPEC deal extension and joint projects in the oil and petrochemical sector.
The Russia-Saudi summit is a milestone event to demonstrate that both countries are set for a much closer relationship. Russia and Saudi Arabia are showing the political will to foster bilateral economic ties, and their potential has yet to be fulfilled, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Tuesday.
He said Russia had long-standing ties with Saudi Arabia, which Moscow valued. “There are very broad prospects, and the potential is far from being fulfilled. Now both sides are showing the political will to contribute to developing business contacts,” he said.
The issue of Iran was irrelevant, Peskov said. “Relations between Moscow and Riyadh are absolutely self-sufficient and in this case there is no need to draw any parallels, this is a separate vector of our foreign policy, given the important role of Saudi Arabia in the region and in the Arab world in general.
“Saudi Arabia is a country that plays a key role in Arab affairs. We in Russia seek to boost dialogue with Riyadh on various issues of common concern, including the current situation in the Middle East and in Syria in particular.”
The visit of King Salman at this critical time indicates that Russia has proved its presence in the Middle East and Moscow is giving due importance to Riyadh’s political and strategic status in Russia-Arab relations.
http://www.arabnews.com/node/1171931/saudi-arabia
Two countries work together to keep energy prices stable
MOHAMMED RASOOLDEEN | Published — Wednesday 4 October 2017
Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, shakes hands with King Salman of Saudi Arabia at the G-20 Summit in Antalya, Turkey, in this Nov. 16, 2015 file photo. (AP)
RIYADH: Senior scholars and businessmen in the capital said that the forthcoming visit of King Salman to Moscow will open new areas of cooperation with Russia and the two countries will reap mutual benefits as a result of such cooperation.
Member of the Shoura Council Fayez Al-Shehri said King Salman’s visit to Russia comes within the framework of bolstering relations with the one of the biggest countries of the world.
He said Russia agrees with the political trends of the Kingdom in many fields, notably terrorism and finding a solution to the Yemen crisis, and other global issues.
“The Kingdom and Russia are working together in the area of oil and gas to keep energy prices stabilized in the world,” he said.
“We, at the Shoura Council, have a role to play in deepening such relations between the Saudi and Russian peoples in all areas through popular and parliamentary diplomacy and exchange of committees to act as a bridge between the two cultures,” Al-Shehri said.
Shoura Council member Maj. Gen. Ali Al-Tamimi told Arab News that Saudi Arabia under King Salman, being the leader of the Islamic world and an important member of the G-20, will open a new chapter not only in Saudi-Russian relations, but also in combating terror in the world. There are a lot of expectations during this historic visit especially in the oil sector, he said, hoping that the visit will benefit the two countries.
The head of the Council of Saudi Chambers, Ahmed bin Sulaiman Al-Rajhi, said that the visit aims to promote and develop economic and trade relations between the Kingdom and the Russian Federation and he foresees brighter prospects for the two countries because of the strong bilateral relations.
He hoped to see increases in the contribution of the private sector in both countries to the level of strategic relations between them, and pave the way for the diversity of vital areas in favor of the Saudi and Russian economies.
Al-Rajhi expected to see more promising developments in the Kingdom’s trade cooperation with Russia, and a greater share of joint investments, especially as the two countries have comparative advantages that could enable them to play a pivotal role in the economies of the world.
Al-Rajhi will lead a team of 100 Saudi businessmen to Russia to strengthen economic cooperation between the two countries in accordance with Vision 2030.
Describing the delegation as an effective team to push forward new business activities during the Saudi-Russian Business Council meeting, Al-Rajhi said it will discuss economic cooperation and explore ways of developing partnerships and business relations between the business and education sectors.
Besides meeting the aspirations of the leaders and employers of the two countries, he said that the Saudi businessmen will also meet CEOs of major companies dealing with business activities, and opportunities and challenges in the Kingdom and Russia.
The program of the Saudi businessmen will also include several meetings with the Russian business community and Russian officials to discuss ways of boosting economic relations; developing trade and investment partnerships; holding bilateral meetings between businessmen from both sides; reviewing the latest developments in the economic situation; creating a conducive business environment; and identifying important investment opportunities available in the Kingdom and Russia, Al-Rajhi said.
Musad Al-Zayani, Saudi journalist based in the UAE, told Arab News that this is going to be a landmark visit in the annals of the Kingdom since both parties will come out with positive decisions in improving the world oil market.
As King Salman pays his maiden visit to Moscow, the Kingdom as well as Russia will definitely reap the fruits of important decisions that are expected to emerge from the bilateral discussions, he said.
http://www.arabnews.com/node/1171941/saudi-arabia
Saudi Arabia, Russia to set up $1bn energy fund: Novak
Reuters | Published — Tuesday 3 October 2017
Russia's Energy Minister Alexander Novak. (AFP)
ALKHOBAR: Saudi Arabia and Russia plan to set up a $1 billion fund to invest in energy projects, Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak said in a interview broadcast by Al Arabiya TV on Monday.
The fund, to be finalized during this week’s visit by Saudi King Salman to Moscow, was part of efforts by two of the world’s biggest oil producers to expand cooperation, he said.
“Our focus is not just on strengthening our cooperation within the framework of the OPEC and non-OPEC (agreement) but also the strengthening of cooperation in oil, gas, electricity renewable energy and other projects for oil and gas equipment,” he told the television channel regarding the fund’s activities.
Saudi Arabia, the biggest oil producer in the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, and Russia helped forge a deal between OPEC and other producers to cut output by 1.8 million barrels per day from January to lift crude prices.
Oil prices, which slumped in the past three years, have climbed to about $56 a barrel but are still around half the level they were in mid-2014.
“We are working on a number of agreements and we will announce them during the visit,” Novak said of the Saudi-Russian efforts to expand their cooperation in the energy industry.
Novak said Russian firms were discussing deals with energy giant Saudi Aramco, such as providing drilling services in Saudi Arabia and Rosneft’s interest in crude trading.
Saudi partners were considering joining Russia’s Novatek in producing gas in Russia, he added.
A Russian energy source told Reuters that a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was expected to be signed between Novatek and Saudi Arabia on a liquefied natural gas (LNG) project, known as Arctic LNG-2, that aims to start up in the 2020s. It is Novatek’s second LNG project.
He said details were still being discussed. Russia would like Saudi Arabia to become a shareholder in the project but the source said there were also other roles the kingdom could take.
Saudi Aramco and Saudi Basic Industries Corp. (SABIC) is expected to sign an MoU with Russia’s biggest petrochemical firm Sibur to examine opportunities for building petrochemical plants in the two countries.
On Russian-Saudi cooperation in the oil market, Novak said: “I would like to reaffirm that we are satisfied with our cooperation with Saudi Arabia.”
Novak said he saw oil prices stabilizing around $50 to $60 a barrel, a level he described as “suitable.”
http://www.arabnews.com/node/1171326/saudi-arabia
200 Saudi, Russian businessmen to promote partnerships, investment opportunities
Arab News | Published — Wednesday 4 October 2017
JEDDAH: King Salman’s visit to Russia will witness a series of joint economic functions that will bring together 200 representatives of Saudi and Russian companies to promote commercial partnerships and relations.
Saudi Aramco will participate in a range of high-level engagements and activities including an exhibit throughout the three days which form the business component of the royal visit, alongside other key Saudi entities.
The highlight will be the “Saudi-Russian Business Investment Forum” to be held in Moscow under the theme: “Investment, Toward Building a Strong Partnership.” The forum will be officially opened by Russia’s Minister of Energy, Alexander Novak.
The forum will serve as a strategic platform for Saudi Aramco to promote its initiatives in supporting Vision 2030, and the industrial localization program In-Kingdom Total Value Add (IKTVA), which can potentially attract Russian market-leading companies to offer skills development and technological expertise.
During the visit, the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA) will also organize a one-day forum in Moscow on Saudi-Russian investments in cooperation with the Council of Saudi Chambers (CSC) and the joint Saudi-Russian Council, in the presence of a number of Saudi and Russian ministers, and members of the private sector.
The forum will be addressed by Saudi Minister of Commerce and Investment Majid Al-Qassabi, Minister of Energy, Industry and Mining Resources Khalid Al-Falih, Governor of SAGIA Ibrahim Al-Omar, the board chairman of the CSC, Ahmed Al-Rajhi, the Russian minister of energy, and a number of Russian economic officials.
SAGIA will also present a number of investment opportunities for Russian investors. There will also be a presentation on Vision 2030.
Participating Saudi and Russian companies will organize three panel discussions: The first on bolstering bilateral investment; the second on industry and localization of production; and the third on agriculture.
The panel discussions will be joined by the Governor of Saudi Grains Organization Ahmed Al-Faris; the supervisor of the Public Investments Fund, Yasir Al-Rimayyan; President of General Transport Authority Rimaih Al-Rimaih; President and CEO of Saudi Aramco Amin Al-Nasir, Deputy Board Chairman of SABIC Yusuf Al-Binayyan, and a number of Russian officials.
On the sidelines of the forum, SAGIA plans to organize an exhibition to highlight its efforts in working with foreign investors and mechanisms of investment in the Kingdom.
Economic cooperation between the Kingdom and Russia cover different areas such as mineral resources, transport, infrastructure, information security, oil and gas, food security, agro investment, housing and real estate development, tourism, downstream industries and petrochemicals, nanotechnology, advanced technology, electric and renewable energy, financial resources, desalination technology and health care.
http://www.arabnews.com/node/1171936/saudi-arabia
Good news overall, however the trade volume between KSA and Russia is laughable considering the size of the two country's economies. KSA should also aim to balance this trade much more although neither side exports more than 1 billion USD worth of goods per annum. So there is a lot of room for improvement and thus potential to enhance and improve the economic ties.
GHAZANFAR ALI KHAN | Published — Wednesday 4 October 2017
A file photo of Saudi Arabia’s King Salman and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
RIYADH: As part of their pledge to ensure peace and security in the Middle East and the world at large, Saudi Arabia and Russia have set a course to build strong and pragmatic relations. King Salman’s visit to Russia, which begins on Thursday, will foster relations and establish a road map for collaboration, signaling yet another sea change in the ever-evolving global order.
In fact, Saudi-Russian relations are already at a high and cordial level, both in terms of shared interests and mutual understanding, despite differences over a few issues such as the Syrian conflict and the Iranian nuclear deal. But Riyadh and Moscow have renewed their commitment to narrow differences on such issues, as Riyadh moves ahead by adopting a more assertive line in its global and regional policy.
“The first ever official visit by a Saudi king to Moscow since the foundation of the Kingdom demonstrates that Riyadh is eager to keep a balance in its foreign policy and diversify its ties,” said Dr. Mona A. Almushait, a Shoura Council member.
“The Kingdom acknowledges the importance of Russia as a major global player, and its potential role in the region; and for Russia’s part, it is giving due importance to Riyadh’s political and strategic status in Russia-Arab relations.
“The Saudis see Russia in the role of a negotiator on all political issues including Syria and Yemen.”
While Saudi Arabia launched a military operation against Houthi rebels in Yemen, intensified support for Syrian rebels and cut diplomatic ties with Tehran, at the same time a visible trend in Saudi foreign policy was seen in its approach to Moscow. This was evident from the visit of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to Russia in May, and the visit of Sergey Lavrov, the Russian foreign minister, to Riyadh last month.
Russia’s policy in the Middle East is multidimensional, and calls for building strategic relations with influential regional actors. Pursuing a partnership with Saudi Arabia is now a priority for the Russian Federation and its leadership, because the Kingdom is a leading country in the region, as well as in the international community.
Like Russia, the Kingdom is also a major player in the global oil market. Changes in the region and around the world, as well as the launch in April 2016 of the Saudi Vision 2030, open up new opportunities for the two countries. Both realize that the current status of political dialogue needs to be strengthened.
While the positions of Moscow and Riyadh on Egypt and Tunisia coincide, they differ over Syria, because they disagree on Iran’s policy. The June 2015 meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Crown Prince Mohammed in St. Petersburg, and Putin’s meeting with King Salman in Antalya five months later, paved the way for more contacts and dialogue.
The two countries have similar positions on the resolution of the Middle East conflict based on the two-state solution. The convergence of Russian and Saudi positions was further promoted by Moscow’s decision to abstain from voting on Resolution 2216 on Yemen at the UN Security Council. Despite differences, Moscow and Riyadh are unanimous in their approach to stabilizing the situation in Lebanon and Iraq.
Russia is also well placed to talk to, or even mediate between, the Kingdom, Iran and Syria. For Saudi Arabia or even for the GCC and Arab League, Russia’s influence in Iran, Syria, Yemen, Turkey, and even Qatar, is a strategic asset. So Arabs, including Saudis, see Russia in the role of negotiator on all political issues.
As far as Egypt is concerned, the Kingdom and Russia welcomed the change of power in Egypt in 2013 and continue to support President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. Egypt’s procurement of Russian weapons was possible thanks to Saudi financial assistance to Cairo. The Kingdom also seems to have appreciated Russia’s restrained position on the Yemen issue.
No doubt all these issues, including the Qatar crisis, will be on the agenda of the Russia-Saudi summit this week. Until now, Russia has not taken sides in the dispute between Qatar and other Arab states, and it has a recent history of cooperation with all sides of this conflict. As a result, Moscow can be an honest broker when it comes to intensifying efforts to resolve key regional conflicts, including Qatar.
Two years ago the two countries had virtually no dialogue on commercial issues, even energy. But now they have made a joint effort to push for further cutting oil production to help bring up global oil prices. Russia and Saudi Arabia are considering an OPEC deal extension and joint projects in the oil and petrochemical sector.
The Russia-Saudi summit is a milestone event to demonstrate that both countries are set for a much closer relationship. Russia and Saudi Arabia are showing the political will to foster bilateral economic ties, and their potential has yet to be fulfilled, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Tuesday.
He said Russia had long-standing ties with Saudi Arabia, which Moscow valued. “There are very broad prospects, and the potential is far from being fulfilled. Now both sides are showing the political will to contribute to developing business contacts,” he said.
The issue of Iran was irrelevant, Peskov said. “Relations between Moscow and Riyadh are absolutely self-sufficient and in this case there is no need to draw any parallels, this is a separate vector of our foreign policy, given the important role of Saudi Arabia in the region and in the Arab world in general.
“Saudi Arabia is a country that plays a key role in Arab affairs. We in Russia seek to boost dialogue with Riyadh on various issues of common concern, including the current situation in the Middle East and in Syria in particular.”
The visit of King Salman at this critical time indicates that Russia has proved its presence in the Middle East and Moscow is giving due importance to Riyadh’s political and strategic status in Russia-Arab relations.
http://www.arabnews.com/node/1171931/saudi-arabia
Two countries work together to keep energy prices stable
MOHAMMED RASOOLDEEN | Published — Wednesday 4 October 2017
Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, shakes hands with King Salman of Saudi Arabia at the G-20 Summit in Antalya, Turkey, in this Nov. 16, 2015 file photo. (AP)
RIYADH: Senior scholars and businessmen in the capital said that the forthcoming visit of King Salman to Moscow will open new areas of cooperation with Russia and the two countries will reap mutual benefits as a result of such cooperation.
Member of the Shoura Council Fayez Al-Shehri said King Salman’s visit to Russia comes within the framework of bolstering relations with the one of the biggest countries of the world.
He said Russia agrees with the political trends of the Kingdom in many fields, notably terrorism and finding a solution to the Yemen crisis, and other global issues.
“The Kingdom and Russia are working together in the area of oil and gas to keep energy prices stabilized in the world,” he said.
“We, at the Shoura Council, have a role to play in deepening such relations between the Saudi and Russian peoples in all areas through popular and parliamentary diplomacy and exchange of committees to act as a bridge between the two cultures,” Al-Shehri said.
Shoura Council member Maj. Gen. Ali Al-Tamimi told Arab News that Saudi Arabia under King Salman, being the leader of the Islamic world and an important member of the G-20, will open a new chapter not only in Saudi-Russian relations, but also in combating terror in the world. There are a lot of expectations during this historic visit especially in the oil sector, he said, hoping that the visit will benefit the two countries.
The head of the Council of Saudi Chambers, Ahmed bin Sulaiman Al-Rajhi, said that the visit aims to promote and develop economic and trade relations between the Kingdom and the Russian Federation and he foresees brighter prospects for the two countries because of the strong bilateral relations.
He hoped to see increases in the contribution of the private sector in both countries to the level of strategic relations between them, and pave the way for the diversity of vital areas in favor of the Saudi and Russian economies.
Al-Rajhi expected to see more promising developments in the Kingdom’s trade cooperation with Russia, and a greater share of joint investments, especially as the two countries have comparative advantages that could enable them to play a pivotal role in the economies of the world.
Al-Rajhi will lead a team of 100 Saudi businessmen to Russia to strengthen economic cooperation between the two countries in accordance with Vision 2030.
Describing the delegation as an effective team to push forward new business activities during the Saudi-Russian Business Council meeting, Al-Rajhi said it will discuss economic cooperation and explore ways of developing partnerships and business relations between the business and education sectors.
Besides meeting the aspirations of the leaders and employers of the two countries, he said that the Saudi businessmen will also meet CEOs of major companies dealing with business activities, and opportunities and challenges in the Kingdom and Russia.
The program of the Saudi businessmen will also include several meetings with the Russian business community and Russian officials to discuss ways of boosting economic relations; developing trade and investment partnerships; holding bilateral meetings between businessmen from both sides; reviewing the latest developments in the economic situation; creating a conducive business environment; and identifying important investment opportunities available in the Kingdom and Russia, Al-Rajhi said.
Musad Al-Zayani, Saudi journalist based in the UAE, told Arab News that this is going to be a landmark visit in the annals of the Kingdom since both parties will come out with positive decisions in improving the world oil market.
As King Salman pays his maiden visit to Moscow, the Kingdom as well as Russia will definitely reap the fruits of important decisions that are expected to emerge from the bilateral discussions, he said.
http://www.arabnews.com/node/1171941/saudi-arabia
Saudi Arabia, Russia to set up $1bn energy fund: Novak
Reuters | Published — Tuesday 3 October 2017
Russia's Energy Minister Alexander Novak. (AFP)
ALKHOBAR: Saudi Arabia and Russia plan to set up a $1 billion fund to invest in energy projects, Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak said in a interview broadcast by Al Arabiya TV on Monday.
The fund, to be finalized during this week’s visit by Saudi King Salman to Moscow, was part of efforts by two of the world’s biggest oil producers to expand cooperation, he said.
“Our focus is not just on strengthening our cooperation within the framework of the OPEC and non-OPEC (agreement) but also the strengthening of cooperation in oil, gas, electricity renewable energy and other projects for oil and gas equipment,” he told the television channel regarding the fund’s activities.
Saudi Arabia, the biggest oil producer in the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, and Russia helped forge a deal between OPEC and other producers to cut output by 1.8 million barrels per day from January to lift crude prices.
Oil prices, which slumped in the past three years, have climbed to about $56 a barrel but are still around half the level they were in mid-2014.
“We are working on a number of agreements and we will announce them during the visit,” Novak said of the Saudi-Russian efforts to expand their cooperation in the energy industry.
Novak said Russian firms were discussing deals with energy giant Saudi Aramco, such as providing drilling services in Saudi Arabia and Rosneft’s interest in crude trading.
Saudi partners were considering joining Russia’s Novatek in producing gas in Russia, he added.
A Russian energy source told Reuters that a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was expected to be signed between Novatek and Saudi Arabia on a liquefied natural gas (LNG) project, known as Arctic LNG-2, that aims to start up in the 2020s. It is Novatek’s second LNG project.
He said details were still being discussed. Russia would like Saudi Arabia to become a shareholder in the project but the source said there were also other roles the kingdom could take.
Saudi Aramco and Saudi Basic Industries Corp. (SABIC) is expected to sign an MoU with Russia’s biggest petrochemical firm Sibur to examine opportunities for building petrochemical plants in the two countries.
On Russian-Saudi cooperation in the oil market, Novak said: “I would like to reaffirm that we are satisfied with our cooperation with Saudi Arabia.”
Novak said he saw oil prices stabilizing around $50 to $60 a barrel, a level he described as “suitable.”
http://www.arabnews.com/node/1171326/saudi-arabia
200 Saudi, Russian businessmen to promote partnerships, investment opportunities
Arab News | Published — Wednesday 4 October 2017
JEDDAH: King Salman’s visit to Russia will witness a series of joint economic functions that will bring together 200 representatives of Saudi and Russian companies to promote commercial partnerships and relations.
Saudi Aramco will participate in a range of high-level engagements and activities including an exhibit throughout the three days which form the business component of the royal visit, alongside other key Saudi entities.
The highlight will be the “Saudi-Russian Business Investment Forum” to be held in Moscow under the theme: “Investment, Toward Building a Strong Partnership.” The forum will be officially opened by Russia’s Minister of Energy, Alexander Novak.
The forum will serve as a strategic platform for Saudi Aramco to promote its initiatives in supporting Vision 2030, and the industrial localization program In-Kingdom Total Value Add (IKTVA), which can potentially attract Russian market-leading companies to offer skills development and technological expertise.
During the visit, the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA) will also organize a one-day forum in Moscow on Saudi-Russian investments in cooperation with the Council of Saudi Chambers (CSC) and the joint Saudi-Russian Council, in the presence of a number of Saudi and Russian ministers, and members of the private sector.
The forum will be addressed by Saudi Minister of Commerce and Investment Majid Al-Qassabi, Minister of Energy, Industry and Mining Resources Khalid Al-Falih, Governor of SAGIA Ibrahim Al-Omar, the board chairman of the CSC, Ahmed Al-Rajhi, the Russian minister of energy, and a number of Russian economic officials.
SAGIA will also present a number of investment opportunities for Russian investors. There will also be a presentation on Vision 2030.
Participating Saudi and Russian companies will organize three panel discussions: The first on bolstering bilateral investment; the second on industry and localization of production; and the third on agriculture.
The panel discussions will be joined by the Governor of Saudi Grains Organization Ahmed Al-Faris; the supervisor of the Public Investments Fund, Yasir Al-Rimayyan; President of General Transport Authority Rimaih Al-Rimaih; President and CEO of Saudi Aramco Amin Al-Nasir, Deputy Board Chairman of SABIC Yusuf Al-Binayyan, and a number of Russian officials.
On the sidelines of the forum, SAGIA plans to organize an exhibition to highlight its efforts in working with foreign investors and mechanisms of investment in the Kingdom.
Economic cooperation between the Kingdom and Russia cover different areas such as mineral resources, transport, infrastructure, information security, oil and gas, food security, agro investment, housing and real estate development, tourism, downstream industries and petrochemicals, nanotechnology, advanced technology, electric and renewable energy, financial resources, desalination technology and health care.
http://www.arabnews.com/node/1171936/saudi-arabia
Good news overall, however the trade volume between KSA and Russia is laughable considering the size of the two country's economies. KSA should also aim to balance this trade much more although neither side exports more than 1 billion USD worth of goods per annum. So there is a lot of room for improvement and thus potential to enhance and improve the economic ties.
Saif al-Arab
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King Salman leaves Saudi Arabia for Russia on official visit
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that the visit of King Salman to Moscow would contribute to stability in the Middle East. (AFP)
Staff writer, Al Arabiya English
Wednesday, 4 October 2017
Saudi Arabia's King Salman left Riyadh for Moscow on an official trip on Wednesday.
The Kremlin announced that military cooperation is on the agenda of the meeting between King Salman and President Vladimir Putin.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that the visit of King Salman to Moscow would contribute to stability in the Middle East.
Lavrov said in his remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat that the visit constitutes a real turning point in the relations between the two countries. He expected the cooperation between Riyadh and Moscow to move to a completely new level.
He also pointed out that the political dialogue at the highest levels between the Kingdom and Russia continues to be out of the limelight. The two sides are intensifying their efforts to strengthen trade ties and common humanitarian ties, he said.
For his part, the Saudi king expressed his hope that his visit to Russia and his talks with President Vladimir Putin and Moscow officials will help the two countries to promote and develop bilateral relations in all fields in a way that serves the common interests, and efforts to achieve international peace and security.
Last Update: Wednesday, 4 October 2017 KSA 16:28 - GMT 13:28
https://english.alarabiya.net/en/Ne...in-meeting-between-King-Salman-and-Putin.html
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that the visit of King Salman to Moscow would contribute to stability in the Middle East. (AFP)
Staff writer, Al Arabiya English
Wednesday, 4 October 2017
Saudi Arabia's King Salman left Riyadh for Moscow on an official trip on Wednesday.
The Kremlin announced that military cooperation is on the agenda of the meeting between King Salman and President Vladimir Putin.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that the visit of King Salman to Moscow would contribute to stability in the Middle East.
Lavrov said in his remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat that the visit constitutes a real turning point in the relations between the two countries. He expected the cooperation between Riyadh and Moscow to move to a completely new level.
He also pointed out that the political dialogue at the highest levels between the Kingdom and Russia continues to be out of the limelight. The two sides are intensifying their efforts to strengthen trade ties and common humanitarian ties, he said.
For his part, the Saudi king expressed his hope that his visit to Russia and his talks with President Vladimir Putin and Moscow officials will help the two countries to promote and develop bilateral relations in all fields in a way that serves the common interests, and efforts to achieve international peace and security.
Last Update: Wednesday, 4 October 2017 KSA 16:28 - GMT 13:28
https://english.alarabiya.net/en/Ne...in-meeting-between-King-Salman-and-Putin.html
The SC
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Reuters: Russia, Saudi Arabia plan to set up a $1 billion technology investment fund
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
King Salman arrives to Moscow
Kremlin: Military cooperation is on the agenda of the meeting # King-Salman with President # Putin
https://t.co/9g9a2ZmHvE
@Sharif al-Hijaz
watch the live video from 35:00 mn
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
King Salman arrives to Moscow
Kremlin: Military cooperation is on the agenda of the meeting # King-Salman with President # Putin
https://t.co/9g9a2ZmHvE
@Sharif al-Hijaz
watch the live video from 35:00 mn
Saif al-Arab
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Thank you for the video brother.
I noticed 4 things;
1) A very cordial welcome.
2) King Salman's "best friend" is following and taking care of his king at all times. Good to see.
3) The weather appears to be cold. Russia after all and this no longer being summer.
4) Although King Salman looked happy as usual, age is slowly but surely catching up with him, sadly. This is the faith of all of us if we manage to live to old age.
Did MbS appear prior to minute 35:00 in the video because I am quite sure that he will be present in Russia.
Last edited by a moderator:
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Some one looked like him, but no he is not in Russia apparently, there are news saying that he is taking care of All Saudi affairs in the absence of his father the King..
After the appointment of Prince Mohammed bin Salman to manage the affairs of the state ..
Meet the delegation accompanying the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to visit Russia
http://www.ajel.sa/local/1955656
After the appointment of Prince Mohammed bin Salman to manage the affairs of the state ..
Meet the delegation accompanying the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to visit Russia
http://www.ajel.sa/local/1955656
Saif al-Arab
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King Salman, Kremlin upbeat about ‘milestone’ royal visit
ARAB NEWS | Published — Wednesday 4 October 2017
King Salman and President Putin at the G20 Summit in Antalya, Turkey, in this file photo taken on 15 Nov 2015.
JEDDAH: King Salman hopes his visit to Russia this week and talks with President Vladimir Putin and other Russian officials will achieve the aspirations of the two countries, he told the Cabinet on Tuesday.
Addressing the weekly meeting at Al-Salam Palace in Jeddah, the king told ministers he looked forward to the visit enhancing relations between the countries to serve common interests and bring about global peace and security.
The historic visit, the first to Russia by a Saudi monarch, begins on Thursday. The king will lead a high-level delegation of government and private-sector figures.
Saudi Aramco will participate in a range of high-level engagements and activities including an exhibit throughout the royal visit.
The highlight will be the Saudi-Russian Business Investment Forum to be held in Moscow under the theme: Investment, Toward Building a Strong Partnership. The forum will be officially opened by Russia’s Minister of Energy, Alexander Novak.
Senior scholars and businessmen in Riyadh said the visit will open new areas of mutual cooperation and the two countries will reap benefits.
Shoura Council member Maj. Gen. Ali Al-Tamimi told Arab News that Saudi Arabia under King Salman, will open a new chapter not only in Saudi-Russian relations, but also in combating terror in the world.
“The first ever official visit by a Saudi king to Moscow since the foundation of the Kingdom demonstrates that Riyadh is eager to keep a balance in its foreign policy and diversify its ties,” said Mona A. Almushait, another Shoura Council member.
The Russia-Saudi summit is a milestone event to demonstrate that both countries are set for a much closer relationship. Russia and Saudi Arabia are showing the political will to foster bilateral economic ties, and their potential has yet to be fulfilled, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.
The visit will witness a series of joint economic functions that will bring together 200 representatives of Saudi and Russian companies to promote commercial partnerships and relations.
The Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA) will organize a one-day forum in Moscow on Saudi-Russian investments in cooperation with the Council of Saudi Chambers (CSC) and the joint Saudi-Russian Council, in the presence of a number of Saudi and Russian ministers, and members of the private sector.
http://www.arabnews.com/node/1172006/saudi-arabia
Russian FM: Saudi king’s visit a ‘turning point’ in relations
Arab News | Published — Wednesday 4 October 2017
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. (AP)
MOSCOW: Saudi King Salman’s visit to Russia, which began Wednesday, represents a “real turning point in relations between the two countries,” Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper in Moscow.
He said Moscow shared Riyadh’s conviction to “further develop bilateral relations at various levels,” and to work toward regional and global stability.
Both countries have maintained high-level dialogue that has produced tangible results, he added.
“We are intensifying efforts to strengthen trade ties and humanitarian relations with the Kingdom,” Lavrov said. “Our common goal is to increase the volume of trade and expand the range of commodities.”
Russia and the Kingdom are jointly working on implementation of agreements between the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and non-OPEC oil producers to reduce global production, he added.
“We consider it extremely important to continue to coordinate efforts with our partners in Saudi Arabia in this regard,” Lavrov said.
He added that King Salman and Russian President Vladimir Putin will discuss the need to find sustainable and permanent solutions to ongoing crises in the region.
The visit will “take cooperation between us to a new level, achieving a fruitful contribution to stability in the Middle East and North Africa,” Lavrov said.
Asked whether a political solution to the Syrian war would be reached soon, Lavrov replied: “Since the beginning of the Syrian crisis, Russia has insisted on a solution through peaceful means by holding an extensive dialogue between the various parties. We also called on the international community to extend a helping hand to the Syrian people to end the violence and bloodshed, and to prevent the support of criminals and terrorists inside the country.”
He said: “The Arab League and many regional and international parties have taken a decision to strip Syrian President Bashar Assad of his legitimacy for a variety of reasons. In doing so, they have effectively attacked the right of the Syrian people to decide who will rule Syria and in what way. We strongly disagree with this approach.”
Lavrov added: “In various international forums, we have always supported the independence, unity and territorial integrity of the Syrian Arab Republic. We have reiterated that the fate and future of Syria must be in the hands of the Syrian people, in a fully legal manner and through national dialogue.”
He said Russia has responded to Syrian government requests to help it eradicate terrorism. “At the same time, we continue to believe that the military campaign against extremists must be accompanied by the search for a political solution to the crisis,” Lavrov added.
“To this end, we continue to fight terrorist groups, while strengthening our efforts to stop the bloodshed, provide humanitarian assistance to the population and boost the political process, as stipulated in UN Security Council resolution 2254.”
He underlined the importance of the Astana meetings on Syria, during which he said the concerned parties agreed that there is no alternative to a political and diplomatic settlement under UN auspices, and expressed their commitment to the cease-fire.
“Today, all actors must abandon their own geopolitical ambitions and contribute fully to the restoration of stability and security in Syria, and throughout the Middle East and North Africa,” Lavrov said.
Russia “attaches great importance to cooperation with Turkey and Iran as part of the settlement of the Syrian crisis and to help Baghdad face ISIS (Daesh) terrorist threats,” he added.
“We believe that joint efforts between Russia, Turkey and Iran have succeeded in improving the situation in Syria, destroying the hubs of ISIS, Al-Nusra Front and other terrorist groups, and guaranteeing conditions for a broad and constructive dialogue between Syrian parties.”
Moscow is “not to blame for the current deterioration in US-Russian relations. This is a direct result of the policies of (former President Barack) Obama’s administration, which destroyed the foundations of our cooperation.” Lavrov said.
“In addition, before its departure, the administration planted time bombs to make things more difficult for the new government.”
He said Russia “stands ready to seek new ways, in cooperation with the new US administration, to improve bilateral relations based on the principles of mutual trust and respect for each other’s interests.”
But the accusation of Russian interference in last year’s US election “clearly hampers any attempt to normalize dialogue between the two sides,” Lavrov added.
“There is an unmistakable impression that some in Washington are not happy with the way the American people have expressed their will, trying to blame us for their failures,” he said.
“We have been careful to exercise restraint, especially considering the complex reality of the internal political scene in which the new US administration must work. However, we cannot remain silent toward hostile actions,” including “imposing sanctions.”
Lavrov said there is still considerable unexploited potential for US-Russian cooperation in international affairs.
“We have long urged our counterparts in the United States to build real coordination with us in the fight against terrorism, as well as to deal with other serious challenges, such as the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, the drug trade and cybercrime,” he added.
There are also opportunities for mutually beneficial initiatives in trade and investment, he said.
“It is remarkable that US companies attach great importance to their presence in the Russian market, and wish to participate in projects that serve the interests of both sides.”
Asked to evaluate the US-led coalition against Daesh, and the extent of Russia’s role in fighting the terrorist organization, Lavrov replied: “One should start by saying that from the perspective of the Syrians and international law, this alliance is prying on Syria. For its part, the Syrian government remains tolerant as long as coalition activities are directed against terrorists inside Syrian territory.”
He added: “In reality, it was airstrikes by the Russian air force and the Syrian Army that forced ISIS to retreat.”
http://www.arabnews.com/node/1172296/saudi-arabia
Russia, Saudi Arabia to set up $1 bln technology fund
Reuters | Published — Wednesday 4 October 2017
Kirill Dmitriev, chief executive of the Russian Direct Investment Fund. (REUTERS file photo)
LONDON: Russia and Saudi Arabia plan to set up a $1 billion fund to invest in technology, the chief executive of a sovereign Russian wealth fund said on Wednesday.
The joint venture is the latest in a series of deals expected to be signed during a visit to Russia by King Salman this week, the first to Moscow by a reigning Saudi monarch.
Other deals include a $1 billion fund to invest in energy projects and Saudi investment in Russian toll roads, including a new one in Moscow to relieve congestion.
Kirill Dmitriev, head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) said on a press call that the two countries would seek areas of synergy between Russia and Saudi Arabia and aim to exploit their “unique technologies.”
He cited desalination technologies and energy efficiency for air conditioning, and also highlighted Russia’s largest tech company Yandex, which specializes in Internet-related services and products.
“Yandex is an interesting company for us because it is already present in the Middle East and Turkey and it has a search engine that beats Google in the Russian market by a large margin,” Dmitriev said.
The fund will also look at relevant investments outside Russia and Saudi Arabia, he added.
Saudi Arabia’s main sovereign wealth fund, the Public Investment Fund (PIF), has already invested in the SoftBank Vision Fund, a technology-focused private equity fund established with the Japanese company and other big investors.
Meanwhile, the RDIF has invested in Hyperloop One, which is developing an advanced transport system. (Reporting by Claire Milhench)
http://www.arabnews.com/node/1172306/saudi-arabia
A turning point in Saudi-Russian relations
MARIA DUBOVIKOVA | Published — Wednesday 4 October 2017
Saudi Arabia’s King Salman speaks with Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin during a welcoming ceremony upon his arrival at Vnukovo airport outside Moscow on Wednesday. (Reuters)
Saudi King Salman walks past Russian honor guards during a welcoming ceremony upon his arrival at Vnukovo airport outside Moscow on Wednesday. (Still image from Ruptly TV)
Saudi King Salman disembarks from a Saudia plane upon his arrival at Vnukovo airport on the outskirts of Moscow, Russia, on Wednesday. (Still image from Ruptly TV)
Saudi King Salman arrived in Russia's capital on Wednesday. (SPA)
Saudi King Salman is welcomed as he arrives in Moscow on Wednesday. (SPA)
Saudi King Salman arrives in Moscow on Wednesday. (SPA)
Saudi King Salman arrived in Moscow on Wednesday for a historic visit to Russia. (SPA)
MOSCOW: King Salman arrived in Moscow on Wednesday for a historic and unprecedented state visit to Russia, the first by a Saudi monarch in almost a century of diplomatic ties.
The king was greeted at Vnukovo airport by senior Russian officials and a military brass band. He will have talks with the Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday and Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev on Friday.
The two countries will sign investment agreements worth more than $3 billion during the visit, the Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak said. They include a $1.1 billion deal for the Russian petrochemical company Sibur to build a plant in Saudi Arabia, a $1 billion joint technology investment fund, another $1 billion joint fund to invest in energy projects, and Saudi investment in Russian toll roads, including a new one in Moscow.
King Salman and President Putin are also expected to discuss extending oil production cuts ahead of the OPEC meeting in November.
The king is leading a high-powered delegation of government and private-sector figures. “The potential for economic cooperation between the countries is really unlimited,” Konstantin Dudarev, former Saudi general manager of the Russian oil and gas engineering construction company PJSC Stroytransgaz told Arab News.
“Their economies complement each other, and it is time to gain what was lost during the past years, and to take practical steps to overcome all obstacles to secure a breakthrough in trade and economic relations.”
Ilya Fabrichnikov, head of the foreign affairs group at the Russian Association of Public Relations, said the visit marked a shift in regional and global affairs. “We are witnessing a move from a unipolar world to a more regionalized state of affairs,” he told Arab News.
Anton Mardasov of the Russian International Affairs Council said the two countries were moving to end their “stereotyped perceptions of each other. Taking into account the nature of the Russian economy and the country’s geopolitical position, it is important for Moscow to attract foreign investment and ameliorate the investment climate.
“In this regard, Saudi-Russian business and investment cooperation serves Russian national interests. There are a large number of Muslims in Russia who can benefit from Islamic banking, which is an area of investment for Russia and Saudi Arabia.”
Kirill Dmitriev, head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund, said the two countries would seek areas of synergy and aim to exploit their “unique technologies,” for example in desalination and energy efficiency for air conditioning.
He also highlighted Russia’s largest tech company, Yandex, which specializes in Internet-related services and products. “Yandex is an interesting company for us because it is already present in the Middle East and Turkey, and it has a search engine that beats Google in the Russian market by a large margin,” he said.
Dmitriev’s fund will also look at relevant investments outside Russia and Saudi Arabia, he said.
The Council of Saudi Chambers organized a networking meeting in Moscow on Wednesday for more than 100 Saudi and Russian business leader and chief executives, to coincide with King Salman’s visit.
Council Chairman Ahmed Al-Rajhi said he hoped the meeting would boost commercial cooperation and investment between the two countries.
An increase in meetings between Russia and Saudi Arabia “has become a pressing necessity to activate commercial and investment relations,” he said.
King Salman’s visit will conclude on Saturday.
http://www.arabnews.com/node/1172311/saudi-arabia
Dr. Hamdan Al-Shehri | Published — Wednesday 4 October 2017
King Salman’s special visit for a prosperous future
King Salman has begun a historic visit, the first by a reigning Saudi monarch to Russia. This special visit seeks strategic relations on many levels. The preparations and desire on both sides indicate the drawing of a new road map, not only for the two countries but for the region. The absence of diplomatic ties for decades prevented both countries from developing relations on many levels, so the visit will provide a new impetus for the future.
Both countries realize each other’s importance and strong points. Russia is a big country that plays an important international and regional role. In recent years, for example, it has provided huge support for Bashar Assad. That role was not clear to Riyadh because of Iranian intervention. We should differentiate between Moscow’s role in Syria, which we must understand, and that of Tehran, which is unacceptable.
Russia’s regional presence is not only acceptable but desirable, in order to help counter terror and stabilize the Middle East. Riyadh is interested in sharing this role, in addition to its role in the US-led coalition.
Saudi Arabia today is playing an important role in the region in order to counter terrorism and deter destructive Iranian intervention. The Kingdom is leading an Arab coalition to restore legitimacy in Yemen, and heading an Islamic coalition against terrorism. All these efforts are for one purpose: To stabilize the region and preserve security and international peace.
Moscow realizes this very well, but its interests sometimes intersect with Tehran’s. Is this the correct way to guarantee Russian interests on the one hand and regional stability on the other? Most countries in the Middle East are Arab, some of which — such as Iraq — have been damaged by Iranian intervention.
There is a need to work with key players in the region, and one of the biggest is Saudi Arabia. It is the most important Muslim country, and one of the biggest G-20 economies. Riyadh, like Moscow, plays a pivotal role diplomatically and politically. Today, the Kingdom sees in Russia an important friend looking to be a partner and ally.
To bring this about, Saudi Arabia will sign huge deals in technology, renewable energy, nuclear plants for civilian purposes, and infrastructure. Riyadh is interested in nationalizing the weapons industry, signing contracts to buy weapons and obtaining new technologies, such as the S-400 missile system.
In addition, both countries must work closely together to reach an agreement between the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and non-OPEC oil producers in order to cut global output and boost prices. Riyadh and Moscow can play a big regional role, especially in security matters, by working together.
Iranian intervention in the region will never be acceptable. It will create further instability and provide justification for more militias to intervene. Tehran wants more Daesh and other terrorists on the ground in order to justify its interventions. Iran has been immune to attacks because it has hosted Al-Qaeda leaders. We must not forget the deal between Hezbollah and Daesh in Jroud Arsal under Iran’s umbrella.
These issues were studied by both sides during Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s earlier visits to Moscow. It is time to begin a new era in countering terror, stabilizing the region and making good economic deals.
• Dr. Hamdan Al-Shehri is a political analyst and international relations scholar.
http://www.arabnews.com/node/1172556
Abdel Aziz Aluwaisheg | Published — Wednesday 4 October 2017
A royal visit that can turn ambition into reality
King Salman’s visit to Russia, which began on Wednesday evening, is the first by a Saudi monarch. Although the two countries established full diplomatic relations in 1926, when the former Soviet Union recognized what was then the Kingdom of Hijaz and Najd, policy differences and regional and international circumstances made such a visit impracticable in the past.
Beyond symbolism, King Salman’s visit promises to be a game changer, considering how engaged the two countries have been of late. High-profile visits to Russia by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman paved the way for this royal visit. Officials from both sides have also engaged on oil, trade, investment and regional crises.
King Salman’s visit comes 10 years after President Vladimir Putin visited Saudi Arabia in February 2007. There were high hopes then that the two countries could forge a solid, mutually beneficial relationship. Another shift came in November 2011 in Abu Dhabi. With support from Saudi Arabia, the UAE hosted the first GCC-Russia Strategic Dialogue. Their foreign ministers issued a promising joint statement that indicated closer views on regional issues, including Syria.
Russia presented its views on Gulf security at that meeting, but as they failed to get traction, the Russians proposed a dialogue to jointly develop the concept, while exploring all possible areas of overlapping interests. The two sides found that there was a realistic potential for forging a strategic relationship that could extend beyond politics and security. Trade, energy, investment, technology and inter-cultural and inter-faith dialogue were among areas they found to be of interest. They agreed on fighting terrorism and extremism, despite some differences of opinion over priorities.
Russia and the Gulf states were far from agreeing on all issues, but a synthesis was emerging and dialogue appeared more promising than ever. Public pronouncements at the time reflected that meeting of minds.
Hard-nosed realism and potentially tangible interests drove the new relationship. While the combined GDP of Russia and the GCC exceeded $3 trillion, two-way trade was less than $3 billion, almost negligible considering the size of GCC and Russian economies. Investment was still limited, despite significant potential and the presence of a few, high-visibility partnerships. Despite those realities, the sky was the limit for dreams, especially on the Russian side, of exploiting the tantalizing potential.
However, the two sides drifted apart over the Syrian conflict and it was not until 2015 that they resumed meaningful dialogue. Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s visit to Russia in June 2015 was followed by a flurry of activity by a number of GCC and Russian officials, including high-profile state visits.
In May 2016, Saudi Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubeir led the GCC delegation to the GCC-Russia strategic dialogue, the first time it had taken place in Russia. It was also the first full-fledged strategic dialogue between the foreign ministers since the first one in Abu Dhabi in 2011.
Despite differences on regional issues, there appeared to be an opening to resume discussions on wider cooperation and dialogue to narrow them.
On Syria, the two sides are in agreement on the need for a prompt end to the crisis, based on the Geneva Communique of June 2012 and UN Security Council Resolutions 2254 and 2268, which translate into a full-fledged transitional authority. Russia now also agrees to distinguish between moderate opposition and terrorist groups such as Daesh and Al-Nusra Front.
On Iran, there has some been progress as well. In a hint at Iran’s meddling and destabilizing activities in the region, Russia agreed that GCC-Iran relations must be “be based on the principles of good neighborliness, non-interference in internal affairs, respect for the political independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as resolutions of disputes through peaceful means, according to the UN Charter and international law, and renouncing of and refraining from the use or threat of use of force or provocations that might undermine confidence and threaten security and stability in the region.” Iran flouts these principles almost daily.
Russia also supports the GCC in its call for a peaceful solution between Iran and the UAE over the three islands, the Greater and Lesser Tunbs and Abu Musa, in accordance with international law and the UN Charter, including direct negotiations between the two parties.
Russia and the GCC have similar positions on Yemen and Iraq, but certainly differences remain on a number of other issues.
Russia is keen to improve its image in the Muslim world and has organized conferences for Muslim-Russia dialogue, including activities carried out by the Russian “Group of Strategic Vision.”
Besides active political dialogue on regional and international issues, Russia, Saudi Arabia and other GCC countries have agreed to “create a favorable climate” for greater trade and business partnerships in industry, transport, communications, agriculture and tourism, and health care, education and scientific research. They have also continued energy cooperation, in both oil policy and renewable energies.
To map out cooperation in these and other areas in executable programs, the two sides are in discussion over a very ambitious “joint action plan” to be implemented over the next few years.
King Salman’s visit could be the key to unlock the potential for cooperation with Russia and turn those ambitious plans into reality.
• Abdel Aziz Aluwaisheg is a columnist for Arab News. He can be reached by e-mail: [email protected]. Twitter: @abuhamad1
http://www.arabnews.com/node/1172526
Andrey Baklanov | Published — Wednesday 4 October 2017
Time for a new dawn in Saudi-Russian relations
Russia is looking forward with great anticipation to the realization of agreements on the visit of King Salman and we have certain hopes in several directions.
Firstly, we expect that the first visit of such top-level talks and the experience of recent years will provide an impulse to establish more stable relationships between our countries.
Our relations began with a success, as the Soviet Union was the first to recognize the Kingdom of Hijaz and Najd. During the early years we managed to successfully establish trade, economic and political cooperation. But, unfortunately, from the second half of the 1930s our relations have been developing in cycles. At times they have been restored, becoming active, but then, unfortunately, deteriorated once again as various regional and international problems did not allow our countries to cooperate in a proper way in terms of our national interests. For many years, until 1990-1991, our relations were completely frozen.
Today, our primary task is to stabilize our relations and make them independent of explosive situations in the Middle East and around the world when the positions of Riyadh and Moscow do not converge (which is quite natural).
We have an agenda that may have an important impact on the life of people in both Saudi Arabia and the Russian Federation. First of all, there are questions related to oil prices. It is encouraging that during the last year and a half we have witnessed something new in our interaction — a transition toward a very efficient dialogue on the issue of pricing. In fact, we became leaders of the negotiation process about the barriers for oil pricing that take place in the format of OPEC and independent oil producers. This process is mainly pushed forward from the two capitals — Riyadh and Moscow.
This is a very promising process and we would like it to allow us to turn single agreements that we previously achieved, and which proved to be effective, into a more efficient formula and to create a predictable market system for oil. This is quite possible — such proposals exist and the concerned parties have to implement them. I believe that cooperation between two oil giants, Saudi Arabia and Russia, should lay in the basis of such a system.
Secondly, our two countries have to cooperate on the innovative technologies of the 21st century. We could start joint research in the domains where our interests are most similar on the basis of the agreements signed in 2003 and according to the capabilities of the parties. These domains are petrochemicals, communication satellites and a number of other questions where we already have some progress that has to be further developed.
I think that the talks will allow us, if not to bring our positions closer, but at least to agree on how we should act in the crises that still exist in the Middle East — in Syria, Yemen and a number of other countries. We were not the ones who created these conflicts and crisis situations. I believe that we should firstly attempt to stabilize the situations in these countries and in the Middle East region as a whole and, secondly, to learn how to prevent our differences from influencing our bilateral cooperation on oil, gas, energy, technology, science and culture. Thus, our bilateral track should be independent from the explosive situations that inevitably emerge in the Middle East.
If we manage to do it, it will be a new model of pragmatic relations. And we would like to become the first ones to build such relations with Saudi Arabia in the 21st century to better exploit the potential of both countries and upgrade the quality of life for people in Saudi Arabia and Russia.
• Andrey Baklanov is ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary, former ambassador of the Russian Federation to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and chairman of the Russian Association of Diplomats.
http://www.arabnews.com/node/1172521
Morale booster for Russia’s 20 million Muslims
MOHAMMED RASOOLDEEN | Published — Thursday 5 October 2017
An aerial view taken with a drone shows members of Russia's Muslim community praying in a street outside the Central Mosque during Eid al-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice) celebrations in Moscow, in this September 1, 2017 photo. (AFP)
RIYADH: For Russia’s 20 million Muslims, the visit by King Salman is an unprecedented and morale-boosting opportunity to welcome the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques.
This year, 23,500 Muslims came from Russia to the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah for Hajj, an increase of 7,500 on last year, when numbers were depleted by construction work and the Syrian crisis.
Muslims comprise about 15 percent of the population and play a key role in Russian society. At the Beijing Olympics in 2008, 10 Russian Muslims won gold medals out of the 23 gold medalists from the Russian Federation. They mostly live in the Volga-Ural region and the Northern Caucasus, and major cities such as Moscow and St. Petersburg.
Muslims are predominant in republics such as Bashkortostan and Tatarstan in the Volga-Urals, and in Chechnya, Ingushetia, Dagestan, Kabardino-Balkaria and Karachay-Cherkessia in the Northern Caucasus.
Abdurrahman Al-Rasi, Saudi ambassador to Russia, told Arab News’s sister paper Asharq Al-Awsat on Monday that King Salman’s visit would boost bilateral relations. “We will see a qualitative leap in various domains of cooperation,” he said.
Al-Rasi described the visit as important in its content and timing, given the historic and long-term relations between the countries.
“The visit crowns the Saudi-Russian relations following the trips made by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to Russia in the last two years,” he said.
The Saudi diplomat also said the king’s visit would have a great impact, not only on boosting mutual relations between both countries, but on the situation in the entire region.
“This trip will surely help in finding solutions to many crises in the region,” he said.
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audi and Russian CEOs discuss opportunities at Russia meeting
ARAB NEWS | Published — Thursday 5 October 2017
The Council of Saudi Chambers (CSC) organized a networking meeting in Moscow on Wednesday for more than 100 Saudi and Russian CEOs to coincide with King Salman’s visit to Russia. (SPA)
MOSCOW: The Council of Saudi Chambers (CSC) organized a networking meeting in Moscow on Wednesday for more than 100 Saudi and Russian CEOs to coincide with King Salman’s visit to Russia.
Eng. Ahmed Al-Rajhi, CSC chairman, said he hoped the meeting would boost commercial cooperation and investment between the two countries.
He added that an increase in meetings between Russia and the Kingdom “has become a pressing necessity to activate commercial and investment relations.”
He also called on the businessmen to set up joint industrial projects and find an effective mechanism for trade exchange — suggesting exhibitions, training courses and meetings as useful tools. He also said it was important to settle disputes that may arise between businessmen in a way that will be beneficial to both countries.
Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Zamil, chairman of the Saudi-Russian Business Council, stressed the need to make the most of King Salman’s meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in order to boost the economic partnership between the Kingdom and Russia, particularly for small businesses.
Al-Zamil said Saudi Arabian exports to Russia amounted to $40 million in 2015, while Russian exports to the Kingdom stood at $2 billion, with iron, copper, grains, and non-organic chemical products the major contributors.
He said the Saudi market remains a promising one, explaining that Saudi Vision 2030 and the National Transformation Program (NTP) 2020 will act as strong stimuli for any foreign investor.
Several Saudi businessmen also spoke at the event, exploring a number of topics, including agricultural investment, food safety and the role of the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA) in opening avenues for foreign investment in the Saudi market.
A number of their Russian counterparts revealed investment opportunities in their country — notably in agriculture, energy and tourism.
http://www.arabnews.com/node/1172571/saudi-arabia
Saudi Arabia aims to develop relations with Russia Federation in all spheres: Al-Jubeir
GHAZANFAR ALI KHAN | Published — Thursday 5 October 2017
Saudi foreign minister Adel Al-Jubeir. (SPA)
RIYADH: King Salman made history on Wednesday as the first reigning Saudi monarch to visit Russia, where he is scheduled to hold wide-ranging talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin and other high-ranking Russian officials on bilateral, regional and international issues.
Speaking on the occasion of the visit, Adel Al-Jubeir, the Saudi foreign minister, said: “Riyadh is interested in developing cooperation with Moscow on all trajectories, and the documents to be signed during the visit to Moscow by King Salman will contribute to this.” Al-Jubeir said that King Salman’s visit is “a historic event, as it is the first-ever official visit by a Saudi monarch in the history of bilateral relations.”
Al-Jubeir, who was speaking during his talks with Russian Speaker Valentina Matviyenko on Wednesday, said: “Today, Saudi Arabia aims to develop relations with the Russian Federation in all spheres. Both our countries respect the principle of sovereignty, good neighborly relations and non-interference in internal affairs.” The foreign minister added: “We cooperate to counter extremism, terrorism and other challenges that we face.”
Al-Jubeir said: “Indeed, a number of challenges exist at the moment that we must overcome in our relations, and there are also possibilities that we must take advantage of the royal visit to develop cooperation … I have no doubts that this visit will be successful and will advance our relations from a good to an excellent level,” said the minister while expressing his pleasure and optimism over the visit.
Commenting on the first-ever official visit of a Saudi king to Russia, Dr. Mona A. Al-Mushait, a member of the Shoura Council, said: “This historic visit will bolster cooperation in various fields including oil, renewable energy and infrastructure projects, and cooperation between Russia and Saudi Arabia, being the world’s top oil producers will bring benefits to the global oil market.”
Russia and Saudi may now be inaugurating their broadest “strategic cooperation,” with King Salman’s visit serving as a turning point, she added.
“The first-ever official visit by a Saudi king to Moscow since the foundation of the Kingdom demonstrates that Riyadh is eager to keep balance in its foreign policy and diversify its ties. The Kingdom acknowledges the importance of Russia as a major global player, and its potential role in the region, and for Russia’s part, it is giving due importance to Riyadh’s political and strategic status in Russia-Arab relations,” she added.
http://www.arabnews.com/node/1172576/saudi-arabia
ARAB NEWS | Published — Wednesday 4 October 2017
King Salman and President Putin at the G20 Summit in Antalya, Turkey, in this file photo taken on 15 Nov 2015.
JEDDAH: King Salman hopes his visit to Russia this week and talks with President Vladimir Putin and other Russian officials will achieve the aspirations of the two countries, he told the Cabinet on Tuesday.
Addressing the weekly meeting at Al-Salam Palace in Jeddah, the king told ministers he looked forward to the visit enhancing relations between the countries to serve common interests and bring about global peace and security.
The historic visit, the first to Russia by a Saudi monarch, begins on Thursday. The king will lead a high-level delegation of government and private-sector figures.
Saudi Aramco will participate in a range of high-level engagements and activities including an exhibit throughout the royal visit.
The highlight will be the Saudi-Russian Business Investment Forum to be held in Moscow under the theme: Investment, Toward Building a Strong Partnership. The forum will be officially opened by Russia’s Minister of Energy, Alexander Novak.
Senior scholars and businessmen in Riyadh said the visit will open new areas of mutual cooperation and the two countries will reap benefits.
Shoura Council member Maj. Gen. Ali Al-Tamimi told Arab News that Saudi Arabia under King Salman, will open a new chapter not only in Saudi-Russian relations, but also in combating terror in the world.
“The first ever official visit by a Saudi king to Moscow since the foundation of the Kingdom demonstrates that Riyadh is eager to keep a balance in its foreign policy and diversify its ties,” said Mona A. Almushait, another Shoura Council member.
The Russia-Saudi summit is a milestone event to demonstrate that both countries are set for a much closer relationship. Russia and Saudi Arabia are showing the political will to foster bilateral economic ties, and their potential has yet to be fulfilled, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.
The visit will witness a series of joint economic functions that will bring together 200 representatives of Saudi and Russian companies to promote commercial partnerships and relations.
The Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA) will organize a one-day forum in Moscow on Saudi-Russian investments in cooperation with the Council of Saudi Chambers (CSC) and the joint Saudi-Russian Council, in the presence of a number of Saudi and Russian ministers, and members of the private sector.
http://www.arabnews.com/node/1172006/saudi-arabia
Russian FM: Saudi king’s visit a ‘turning point’ in relations
Arab News | Published — Wednesday 4 October 2017
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. (AP)
MOSCOW: Saudi King Salman’s visit to Russia, which began Wednesday, represents a “real turning point in relations between the two countries,” Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper in Moscow.
He said Moscow shared Riyadh’s conviction to “further develop bilateral relations at various levels,” and to work toward regional and global stability.
Both countries have maintained high-level dialogue that has produced tangible results, he added.
“We are intensifying efforts to strengthen trade ties and humanitarian relations with the Kingdom,” Lavrov said. “Our common goal is to increase the volume of trade and expand the range of commodities.”
Russia and the Kingdom are jointly working on implementation of agreements between the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and non-OPEC oil producers to reduce global production, he added.
“We consider it extremely important to continue to coordinate efforts with our partners in Saudi Arabia in this regard,” Lavrov said.
He added that King Salman and Russian President Vladimir Putin will discuss the need to find sustainable and permanent solutions to ongoing crises in the region.
The visit will “take cooperation between us to a new level, achieving a fruitful contribution to stability in the Middle East and North Africa,” Lavrov said.
Asked whether a political solution to the Syrian war would be reached soon, Lavrov replied: “Since the beginning of the Syrian crisis, Russia has insisted on a solution through peaceful means by holding an extensive dialogue between the various parties. We also called on the international community to extend a helping hand to the Syrian people to end the violence and bloodshed, and to prevent the support of criminals and terrorists inside the country.”
He said: “The Arab League and many regional and international parties have taken a decision to strip Syrian President Bashar Assad of his legitimacy for a variety of reasons. In doing so, they have effectively attacked the right of the Syrian people to decide who will rule Syria and in what way. We strongly disagree with this approach.”
Lavrov added: “In various international forums, we have always supported the independence, unity and territorial integrity of the Syrian Arab Republic. We have reiterated that the fate and future of Syria must be in the hands of the Syrian people, in a fully legal manner and through national dialogue.”
He said Russia has responded to Syrian government requests to help it eradicate terrorism. “At the same time, we continue to believe that the military campaign against extremists must be accompanied by the search for a political solution to the crisis,” Lavrov added.
“To this end, we continue to fight terrorist groups, while strengthening our efforts to stop the bloodshed, provide humanitarian assistance to the population and boost the political process, as stipulated in UN Security Council resolution 2254.”
He underlined the importance of the Astana meetings on Syria, during which he said the concerned parties agreed that there is no alternative to a political and diplomatic settlement under UN auspices, and expressed their commitment to the cease-fire.
“Today, all actors must abandon their own geopolitical ambitions and contribute fully to the restoration of stability and security in Syria, and throughout the Middle East and North Africa,” Lavrov said.
Russia “attaches great importance to cooperation with Turkey and Iran as part of the settlement of the Syrian crisis and to help Baghdad face ISIS (Daesh) terrorist threats,” he added.
“We believe that joint efforts between Russia, Turkey and Iran have succeeded in improving the situation in Syria, destroying the hubs of ISIS, Al-Nusra Front and other terrorist groups, and guaranteeing conditions for a broad and constructive dialogue between Syrian parties.”
Moscow is “not to blame for the current deterioration in US-Russian relations. This is a direct result of the policies of (former President Barack) Obama’s administration, which destroyed the foundations of our cooperation.” Lavrov said.
“In addition, before its departure, the administration planted time bombs to make things more difficult for the new government.”
He said Russia “stands ready to seek new ways, in cooperation with the new US administration, to improve bilateral relations based on the principles of mutual trust and respect for each other’s interests.”
But the accusation of Russian interference in last year’s US election “clearly hampers any attempt to normalize dialogue between the two sides,” Lavrov added.
“There is an unmistakable impression that some in Washington are not happy with the way the American people have expressed their will, trying to blame us for their failures,” he said.
“We have been careful to exercise restraint, especially considering the complex reality of the internal political scene in which the new US administration must work. However, we cannot remain silent toward hostile actions,” including “imposing sanctions.”
Lavrov said there is still considerable unexploited potential for US-Russian cooperation in international affairs.
“We have long urged our counterparts in the United States to build real coordination with us in the fight against terrorism, as well as to deal with other serious challenges, such as the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, the drug trade and cybercrime,” he added.
There are also opportunities for mutually beneficial initiatives in trade and investment, he said.
“It is remarkable that US companies attach great importance to their presence in the Russian market, and wish to participate in projects that serve the interests of both sides.”
Asked to evaluate the US-led coalition against Daesh, and the extent of Russia’s role in fighting the terrorist organization, Lavrov replied: “One should start by saying that from the perspective of the Syrians and international law, this alliance is prying on Syria. For its part, the Syrian government remains tolerant as long as coalition activities are directed against terrorists inside Syrian territory.”
He added: “In reality, it was airstrikes by the Russian air force and the Syrian Army that forced ISIS to retreat.”
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Russia, Saudi Arabia to set up $1 bln technology fund
Reuters | Published — Wednesday 4 October 2017
Kirill Dmitriev, chief executive of the Russian Direct Investment Fund. (REUTERS file photo)
LONDON: Russia and Saudi Arabia plan to set up a $1 billion fund to invest in technology, the chief executive of a sovereign Russian wealth fund said on Wednesday.
The joint venture is the latest in a series of deals expected to be signed during a visit to Russia by King Salman this week, the first to Moscow by a reigning Saudi monarch.
Other deals include a $1 billion fund to invest in energy projects and Saudi investment in Russian toll roads, including a new one in Moscow to relieve congestion.
Kirill Dmitriev, head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) said on a press call that the two countries would seek areas of synergy between Russia and Saudi Arabia and aim to exploit their “unique technologies.”
He cited desalination technologies and energy efficiency for air conditioning, and also highlighted Russia’s largest tech company Yandex, which specializes in Internet-related services and products.
“Yandex is an interesting company for us because it is already present in the Middle East and Turkey and it has a search engine that beats Google in the Russian market by a large margin,” Dmitriev said.
The fund will also look at relevant investments outside Russia and Saudi Arabia, he added.
Saudi Arabia’s main sovereign wealth fund, the Public Investment Fund (PIF), has already invested in the SoftBank Vision Fund, a technology-focused private equity fund established with the Japanese company and other big investors.
Meanwhile, the RDIF has invested in Hyperloop One, which is developing an advanced transport system. (Reporting by Claire Milhench)
http://www.arabnews.com/node/1172306/saudi-arabia
A turning point in Saudi-Russian relations
MARIA DUBOVIKOVA | Published — Wednesday 4 October 2017
Saudi Arabia’s King Salman speaks with Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin during a welcoming ceremony upon his arrival at Vnukovo airport outside Moscow on Wednesday. (Reuters)
Saudi King Salman walks past Russian honor guards during a welcoming ceremony upon his arrival at Vnukovo airport outside Moscow on Wednesday. (Still image from Ruptly TV)
Saudi King Salman disembarks from a Saudia plane upon his arrival at Vnukovo airport on the outskirts of Moscow, Russia, on Wednesday. (Still image from Ruptly TV)
Saudi King Salman arrived in Russia's capital on Wednesday. (SPA)
Saudi King Salman is welcomed as he arrives in Moscow on Wednesday. (SPA)
Saudi King Salman arrives in Moscow on Wednesday. (SPA)
Saudi King Salman arrived in Moscow on Wednesday for a historic visit to Russia. (SPA)
MOSCOW: King Salman arrived in Moscow on Wednesday for a historic and unprecedented state visit to Russia, the first by a Saudi monarch in almost a century of diplomatic ties.
The king was greeted at Vnukovo airport by senior Russian officials and a military brass band. He will have talks with the Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday and Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev on Friday.
The two countries will sign investment agreements worth more than $3 billion during the visit, the Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak said. They include a $1.1 billion deal for the Russian petrochemical company Sibur to build a plant in Saudi Arabia, a $1 billion joint technology investment fund, another $1 billion joint fund to invest in energy projects, and Saudi investment in Russian toll roads, including a new one in Moscow.
King Salman and President Putin are also expected to discuss extending oil production cuts ahead of the OPEC meeting in November.
The king is leading a high-powered delegation of government and private-sector figures. “The potential for economic cooperation between the countries is really unlimited,” Konstantin Dudarev, former Saudi general manager of the Russian oil and gas engineering construction company PJSC Stroytransgaz told Arab News.
“Their economies complement each other, and it is time to gain what was lost during the past years, and to take practical steps to overcome all obstacles to secure a breakthrough in trade and economic relations.”
Ilya Fabrichnikov, head of the foreign affairs group at the Russian Association of Public Relations, said the visit marked a shift in regional and global affairs. “We are witnessing a move from a unipolar world to a more regionalized state of affairs,” he told Arab News.
Anton Mardasov of the Russian International Affairs Council said the two countries were moving to end their “stereotyped perceptions of each other. Taking into account the nature of the Russian economy and the country’s geopolitical position, it is important for Moscow to attract foreign investment and ameliorate the investment climate.
“In this regard, Saudi-Russian business and investment cooperation serves Russian national interests. There are a large number of Muslims in Russia who can benefit from Islamic banking, which is an area of investment for Russia and Saudi Arabia.”
Kirill Dmitriev, head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund, said the two countries would seek areas of synergy and aim to exploit their “unique technologies,” for example in desalination and energy efficiency for air conditioning.
He also highlighted Russia’s largest tech company, Yandex, which specializes in Internet-related services and products. “Yandex is an interesting company for us because it is already present in the Middle East and Turkey, and it has a search engine that beats Google in the Russian market by a large margin,” he said.
Dmitriev’s fund will also look at relevant investments outside Russia and Saudi Arabia, he said.
The Council of Saudi Chambers organized a networking meeting in Moscow on Wednesday for more than 100 Saudi and Russian business leader and chief executives, to coincide with King Salman’s visit.
Council Chairman Ahmed Al-Rajhi said he hoped the meeting would boost commercial cooperation and investment between the two countries.
An increase in meetings between Russia and Saudi Arabia “has become a pressing necessity to activate commercial and investment relations,” he said.
King Salman’s visit will conclude on Saturday.
http://www.arabnews.com/node/1172311/saudi-arabia
Dr. Hamdan Al-Shehri | Published — Wednesday 4 October 2017
King Salman’s special visit for a prosperous future
King Salman has begun a historic visit, the first by a reigning Saudi monarch to Russia. This special visit seeks strategic relations on many levels. The preparations and desire on both sides indicate the drawing of a new road map, not only for the two countries but for the region. The absence of diplomatic ties for decades prevented both countries from developing relations on many levels, so the visit will provide a new impetus for the future.
Both countries realize each other’s importance and strong points. Russia is a big country that plays an important international and regional role. In recent years, for example, it has provided huge support for Bashar Assad. That role was not clear to Riyadh because of Iranian intervention. We should differentiate between Moscow’s role in Syria, which we must understand, and that of Tehran, which is unacceptable.
Russia’s regional presence is not only acceptable but desirable, in order to help counter terror and stabilize the Middle East. Riyadh is interested in sharing this role, in addition to its role in the US-led coalition.
Saudi Arabia today is playing an important role in the region in order to counter terrorism and deter destructive Iranian intervention. The Kingdom is leading an Arab coalition to restore legitimacy in Yemen, and heading an Islamic coalition against terrorism. All these efforts are for one purpose: To stabilize the region and preserve security and international peace.
Moscow realizes this very well, but its interests sometimes intersect with Tehran’s. Is this the correct way to guarantee Russian interests on the one hand and regional stability on the other? Most countries in the Middle East are Arab, some of which — such as Iraq — have been damaged by Iranian intervention.
There is a need to work with key players in the region, and one of the biggest is Saudi Arabia. It is the most important Muslim country, and one of the biggest G-20 economies. Riyadh, like Moscow, plays a pivotal role diplomatically and politically. Today, the Kingdom sees in Russia an important friend looking to be a partner and ally.
To bring this about, Saudi Arabia will sign huge deals in technology, renewable energy, nuclear plants for civilian purposes, and infrastructure. Riyadh is interested in nationalizing the weapons industry, signing contracts to buy weapons and obtaining new technologies, such as the S-400 missile system.
In addition, both countries must work closely together to reach an agreement between the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and non-OPEC oil producers in order to cut global output and boost prices. Riyadh and Moscow can play a big regional role, especially in security matters, by working together.
Iranian intervention in the region will never be acceptable. It will create further instability and provide justification for more militias to intervene. Tehran wants more Daesh and other terrorists on the ground in order to justify its interventions. Iran has been immune to attacks because it has hosted Al-Qaeda leaders. We must not forget the deal between Hezbollah and Daesh in Jroud Arsal under Iran’s umbrella.
These issues were studied by both sides during Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s earlier visits to Moscow. It is time to begin a new era in countering terror, stabilizing the region and making good economic deals.
• Dr. Hamdan Al-Shehri is a political analyst and international relations scholar.
http://www.arabnews.com/node/1172556
Abdel Aziz Aluwaisheg | Published — Wednesday 4 October 2017
A royal visit that can turn ambition into reality
King Salman’s visit to Russia, which began on Wednesday evening, is the first by a Saudi monarch. Although the two countries established full diplomatic relations in 1926, when the former Soviet Union recognized what was then the Kingdom of Hijaz and Najd, policy differences and regional and international circumstances made such a visit impracticable in the past.
Beyond symbolism, King Salman’s visit promises to be a game changer, considering how engaged the two countries have been of late. High-profile visits to Russia by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman paved the way for this royal visit. Officials from both sides have also engaged on oil, trade, investment and regional crises.
King Salman’s visit comes 10 years after President Vladimir Putin visited Saudi Arabia in February 2007. There were high hopes then that the two countries could forge a solid, mutually beneficial relationship. Another shift came in November 2011 in Abu Dhabi. With support from Saudi Arabia, the UAE hosted the first GCC-Russia Strategic Dialogue. Their foreign ministers issued a promising joint statement that indicated closer views on regional issues, including Syria.
Russia presented its views on Gulf security at that meeting, but as they failed to get traction, the Russians proposed a dialogue to jointly develop the concept, while exploring all possible areas of overlapping interests. The two sides found that there was a realistic potential for forging a strategic relationship that could extend beyond politics and security. Trade, energy, investment, technology and inter-cultural and inter-faith dialogue were among areas they found to be of interest. They agreed on fighting terrorism and extremism, despite some differences of opinion over priorities.
Russia and the Gulf states were far from agreeing on all issues, but a synthesis was emerging and dialogue appeared more promising than ever. Public pronouncements at the time reflected that meeting of minds.
Hard-nosed realism and potentially tangible interests drove the new relationship. While the combined GDP of Russia and the GCC exceeded $3 trillion, two-way trade was less than $3 billion, almost negligible considering the size of GCC and Russian economies. Investment was still limited, despite significant potential and the presence of a few, high-visibility partnerships. Despite those realities, the sky was the limit for dreams, especially on the Russian side, of exploiting the tantalizing potential.
However, the two sides drifted apart over the Syrian conflict and it was not until 2015 that they resumed meaningful dialogue. Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s visit to Russia in June 2015 was followed by a flurry of activity by a number of GCC and Russian officials, including high-profile state visits.
In May 2016, Saudi Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubeir led the GCC delegation to the GCC-Russia strategic dialogue, the first time it had taken place in Russia. It was also the first full-fledged strategic dialogue between the foreign ministers since the first one in Abu Dhabi in 2011.
Despite differences on regional issues, there appeared to be an opening to resume discussions on wider cooperation and dialogue to narrow them.
On Syria, the two sides are in agreement on the need for a prompt end to the crisis, based on the Geneva Communique of June 2012 and UN Security Council Resolutions 2254 and 2268, which translate into a full-fledged transitional authority. Russia now also agrees to distinguish between moderate opposition and terrorist groups such as Daesh and Al-Nusra Front.
On Iran, there has some been progress as well. In a hint at Iran’s meddling and destabilizing activities in the region, Russia agreed that GCC-Iran relations must be “be based on the principles of good neighborliness, non-interference in internal affairs, respect for the political independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as resolutions of disputes through peaceful means, according to the UN Charter and international law, and renouncing of and refraining from the use or threat of use of force or provocations that might undermine confidence and threaten security and stability in the region.” Iran flouts these principles almost daily.
Russia also supports the GCC in its call for a peaceful solution between Iran and the UAE over the three islands, the Greater and Lesser Tunbs and Abu Musa, in accordance with international law and the UN Charter, including direct negotiations between the two parties.
Russia and the GCC have similar positions on Yemen and Iraq, but certainly differences remain on a number of other issues.
Russia is keen to improve its image in the Muslim world and has organized conferences for Muslim-Russia dialogue, including activities carried out by the Russian “Group of Strategic Vision.”
Besides active political dialogue on regional and international issues, Russia, Saudi Arabia and other GCC countries have agreed to “create a favorable climate” for greater trade and business partnerships in industry, transport, communications, agriculture and tourism, and health care, education and scientific research. They have also continued energy cooperation, in both oil policy and renewable energies.
To map out cooperation in these and other areas in executable programs, the two sides are in discussion over a very ambitious “joint action plan” to be implemented over the next few years.
King Salman’s visit could be the key to unlock the potential for cooperation with Russia and turn those ambitious plans into reality.
• Abdel Aziz Aluwaisheg is a columnist for Arab News. He can be reached by e-mail: [email protected]. Twitter: @abuhamad1
http://www.arabnews.com/node/1172526
Andrey Baklanov | Published — Wednesday 4 October 2017
Time for a new dawn in Saudi-Russian relations
Russia is looking forward with great anticipation to the realization of agreements on the visit of King Salman and we have certain hopes in several directions.
Firstly, we expect that the first visit of such top-level talks and the experience of recent years will provide an impulse to establish more stable relationships between our countries.
Our relations began with a success, as the Soviet Union was the first to recognize the Kingdom of Hijaz and Najd. During the early years we managed to successfully establish trade, economic and political cooperation. But, unfortunately, from the second half of the 1930s our relations have been developing in cycles. At times they have been restored, becoming active, but then, unfortunately, deteriorated once again as various regional and international problems did not allow our countries to cooperate in a proper way in terms of our national interests. For many years, until 1990-1991, our relations were completely frozen.
Today, our primary task is to stabilize our relations and make them independent of explosive situations in the Middle East and around the world when the positions of Riyadh and Moscow do not converge (which is quite natural).
We have an agenda that may have an important impact on the life of people in both Saudi Arabia and the Russian Federation. First of all, there are questions related to oil prices. It is encouraging that during the last year and a half we have witnessed something new in our interaction — a transition toward a very efficient dialogue on the issue of pricing. In fact, we became leaders of the negotiation process about the barriers for oil pricing that take place in the format of OPEC and independent oil producers. This process is mainly pushed forward from the two capitals — Riyadh and Moscow.
This is a very promising process and we would like it to allow us to turn single agreements that we previously achieved, and which proved to be effective, into a more efficient formula and to create a predictable market system for oil. This is quite possible — such proposals exist and the concerned parties have to implement them. I believe that cooperation between two oil giants, Saudi Arabia and Russia, should lay in the basis of such a system.
Secondly, our two countries have to cooperate on the innovative technologies of the 21st century. We could start joint research in the domains where our interests are most similar on the basis of the agreements signed in 2003 and according to the capabilities of the parties. These domains are petrochemicals, communication satellites and a number of other questions where we already have some progress that has to be further developed.
I think that the talks will allow us, if not to bring our positions closer, but at least to agree on how we should act in the crises that still exist in the Middle East — in Syria, Yemen and a number of other countries. We were not the ones who created these conflicts and crisis situations. I believe that we should firstly attempt to stabilize the situations in these countries and in the Middle East region as a whole and, secondly, to learn how to prevent our differences from influencing our bilateral cooperation on oil, gas, energy, technology, science and culture. Thus, our bilateral track should be independent from the explosive situations that inevitably emerge in the Middle East.
If we manage to do it, it will be a new model of pragmatic relations. And we would like to become the first ones to build such relations with Saudi Arabia in the 21st century to better exploit the potential of both countries and upgrade the quality of life for people in Saudi Arabia and Russia.
• Andrey Baklanov is ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary, former ambassador of the Russian Federation to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and chairman of the Russian Association of Diplomats.
http://www.arabnews.com/node/1172521
Morale booster for Russia’s 20 million Muslims
MOHAMMED RASOOLDEEN | Published — Thursday 5 October 2017
An aerial view taken with a drone shows members of Russia's Muslim community praying in a street outside the Central Mosque during Eid al-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice) celebrations in Moscow, in this September 1, 2017 photo. (AFP)
RIYADH: For Russia’s 20 million Muslims, the visit by King Salman is an unprecedented and morale-boosting opportunity to welcome the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques.
This year, 23,500 Muslims came from Russia to the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah for Hajj, an increase of 7,500 on last year, when numbers were depleted by construction work and the Syrian crisis.
Muslims comprise about 15 percent of the population and play a key role in Russian society. At the Beijing Olympics in 2008, 10 Russian Muslims won gold medals out of the 23 gold medalists from the Russian Federation. They mostly live in the Volga-Ural region and the Northern Caucasus, and major cities such as Moscow and St. Petersburg.
Muslims are predominant in republics such as Bashkortostan and Tatarstan in the Volga-Urals, and in Chechnya, Ingushetia, Dagestan, Kabardino-Balkaria and Karachay-Cherkessia in the Northern Caucasus.
Abdurrahman Al-Rasi, Saudi ambassador to Russia, told Arab News’s sister paper Asharq Al-Awsat on Monday that King Salman’s visit would boost bilateral relations. “We will see a qualitative leap in various domains of cooperation,” he said.
Al-Rasi described the visit as important in its content and timing, given the historic and long-term relations between the countries.
“The visit crowns the Saudi-Russian relations following the trips made by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to Russia in the last two years,” he said.
The Saudi diplomat also said the king’s visit would have a great impact, not only on boosting mutual relations between both countries, but on the situation in the entire region.
“This trip will surely help in finding solutions to many crises in the region,” he said.
http://www.arabnews.com/node/1172566/saudi-arabia
audi and Russian CEOs discuss opportunities at Russia meeting
ARAB NEWS | Published — Thursday 5 October 2017
The Council of Saudi Chambers (CSC) organized a networking meeting in Moscow on Wednesday for more than 100 Saudi and Russian CEOs to coincide with King Salman’s visit to Russia. (SPA)
MOSCOW: The Council of Saudi Chambers (CSC) organized a networking meeting in Moscow on Wednesday for more than 100 Saudi and Russian CEOs to coincide with King Salman’s visit to Russia.
Eng. Ahmed Al-Rajhi, CSC chairman, said he hoped the meeting would boost commercial cooperation and investment between the two countries.
He added that an increase in meetings between Russia and the Kingdom “has become a pressing necessity to activate commercial and investment relations.”
He also called on the businessmen to set up joint industrial projects and find an effective mechanism for trade exchange — suggesting exhibitions, training courses and meetings as useful tools. He also said it was important to settle disputes that may arise between businessmen in a way that will be beneficial to both countries.
Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Zamil, chairman of the Saudi-Russian Business Council, stressed the need to make the most of King Salman’s meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in order to boost the economic partnership between the Kingdom and Russia, particularly for small businesses.
Al-Zamil said Saudi Arabian exports to Russia amounted to $40 million in 2015, while Russian exports to the Kingdom stood at $2 billion, with iron, copper, grains, and non-organic chemical products the major contributors.
He said the Saudi market remains a promising one, explaining that Saudi Vision 2030 and the National Transformation Program (NTP) 2020 will act as strong stimuli for any foreign investor.
Several Saudi businessmen also spoke at the event, exploring a number of topics, including agricultural investment, food safety and the role of the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA) in opening avenues for foreign investment in the Saudi market.
A number of their Russian counterparts revealed investment opportunities in their country — notably in agriculture, energy and tourism.
http://www.arabnews.com/node/1172571/saudi-arabia
Saudi Arabia aims to develop relations with Russia Federation in all spheres: Al-Jubeir
GHAZANFAR ALI KHAN | Published — Thursday 5 October 2017
Saudi foreign minister Adel Al-Jubeir. (SPA)
RIYADH: King Salman made history on Wednesday as the first reigning Saudi monarch to visit Russia, where he is scheduled to hold wide-ranging talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin and other high-ranking Russian officials on bilateral, regional and international issues.
Speaking on the occasion of the visit, Adel Al-Jubeir, the Saudi foreign minister, said: “Riyadh is interested in developing cooperation with Moscow on all trajectories, and the documents to be signed during the visit to Moscow by King Salman will contribute to this.” Al-Jubeir said that King Salman’s visit is “a historic event, as it is the first-ever official visit by a Saudi monarch in the history of bilateral relations.”
Al-Jubeir, who was speaking during his talks with Russian Speaker Valentina Matviyenko on Wednesday, said: “Today, Saudi Arabia aims to develop relations with the Russian Federation in all spheres. Both our countries respect the principle of sovereignty, good neighborly relations and non-interference in internal affairs.” The foreign minister added: “We cooperate to counter extremism, terrorism and other challenges that we face.”
Al-Jubeir said: “Indeed, a number of challenges exist at the moment that we must overcome in our relations, and there are also possibilities that we must take advantage of the royal visit to develop cooperation … I have no doubts that this visit will be successful and will advance our relations from a good to an excellent level,” said the minister while expressing his pleasure and optimism over the visit.
Commenting on the first-ever official visit of a Saudi king to Russia, Dr. Mona A. Al-Mushait, a member of the Shoura Council, said: “This historic visit will bolster cooperation in various fields including oil, renewable energy and infrastructure projects, and cooperation between Russia and Saudi Arabia, being the world’s top oil producers will bring benefits to the global oil market.”
Russia and Saudi may now be inaugurating their broadest “strategic cooperation,” with King Salman’s visit serving as a turning point, she added.
“The first-ever official visit by a Saudi king to Moscow since the foundation of the Kingdom demonstrates that Riyadh is eager to keep balance in its foreign policy and diversify its ties. The Kingdom acknowledges the importance of Russia as a major global player, and its potential role in the region, and for Russia’s part, it is giving due importance to Riyadh’s political and strategic status in Russia-Arab relations,” she added.
http://www.arabnews.com/node/1172576/saudi-arabia
The SC
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This says it all:
"the Kingdom sees in Russia an important friend looking to be a partner and ally.
To bring this about, Saudi Arabia will sign huge deals in technology, renewable energy, nuclear plants for civilian purposes, and infrastructure. Riyadh is interested in nationalizing the weapons industry, signing contracts to buy weapons and obtaining new technologies, such as the S-400 missile system.
In addition, both countries must work closely together to reach an agreement between the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and non-OPEC oil producers in order to cut global output and boost prices."
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Confirmed deals:
S-400
TOS-1A
AK103
AGS-30
KORNET-EM
All of them with ToT..
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
The S-400 will be for air defense of the regions with 14 battalions
If this is the follow up of the deal that was negotiated in 2009,
A large enough number sufficient to cover the skies of Saudi Arabia in full..
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
More details about the deals:
www.spa.gov.sa/1674387
"the Kingdom sees in Russia an important friend looking to be a partner and ally.
To bring this about, Saudi Arabia will sign huge deals in technology, renewable energy, nuclear plants for civilian purposes, and infrastructure. Riyadh is interested in nationalizing the weapons industry, signing contracts to buy weapons and obtaining new technologies, such as the S-400 missile system.
In addition, both countries must work closely together to reach an agreement between the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and non-OPEC oil producers in order to cut global output and boost prices."
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Confirmed deals:
S-400
TOS-1A
AK103
AGS-30
KORNET-EM
All of them with ToT..
The S-400 will be for air defense of the regions with 14 battalions
If this is the follow up of the deal that was negotiated in 2009,
A large enough number sufficient to cover the skies of Saudi Arabia in full..
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
More details about the deals:
www.spa.gov.sa/1674387
Last edited:
The SC
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MOSCOW - Russia and Saudi Arabia signed a package of documents during a visit to Moscow by Saudi King Salman bin Abdul Aziz, which will make a quantum leap in economic relations between the two countries.
The following is a list of documents signed:
- Memorandum of understanding for cooperation in the field of communications and information technology
- Memorandum of Understanding between the Russian Ministry of Commerce and Industry and the Saudi Ministry of Commerce and Investment
- Saudi-Russian road map for economic and commercial cooperation
- Memorandum of understanding for cooperation in the field of labor, development and social protection
- An executive program for cultural cooperation between Russia and the Kingdom
- Agricultural Cooperation Program
- Memorandum of an Executive Program for Cooperation in the Use of Nuclear Energy for Peaceful Purposes
- Contracts for the supply of military systems and a memorandum of understanding for the transfer and localization of the technology of those systems in the Kingdom
- Memorandum of Understanding to establish a Saudi-Saudi energy investment platform
- Memorandum of Understanding to establish a platform for investment in technology
- A special memorandum of understanding for investment in road and light rail projects
The following is a list of documents signed:
- Memorandum of understanding for cooperation in the field of communications and information technology
- Memorandum of Understanding between the Russian Ministry of Commerce and Industry and the Saudi Ministry of Commerce and Investment
- Saudi-Russian road map for economic and commercial cooperation
- Memorandum of understanding for cooperation in the field of labor, development and social protection
- An executive program for cultural cooperation between Russia and the Kingdom
- Agricultural Cooperation Program
- Memorandum of an Executive Program for Cooperation in the Use of Nuclear Energy for Peaceful Purposes
- Contracts for the supply of military systems and a memorandum of understanding for the transfer and localization of the technology of those systems in the Kingdom
- Memorandum of Understanding to establish a Saudi-Saudi energy investment platform
- Memorandum of Understanding to establish a platform for investment in technology
- A special memorandum of understanding for investment in road and light rail projects
Last edited:
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