Saudi FM in Moscow, preparation for crown prince visit, Iraq agenda
Saudi Arabia-Russia, Politics, 5/8/2003

Saudi Arabia's foreign minister Prince Saud al-Faisal starts today a visit to Moscow at an invitation he had received from his Russian counterpart Ingor Ivanov that will last for two days during which he will hold talks with high ranking Russian leaders concentrating on the development of conditions in the region especially in Iraq as well as bilateral relations between the two countries.

Saudi diplomatic sources in Riyadh said yesterday that the Saudi foreign minister will be meeting during this visit with the Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Russian counterpart Igor Ivanov.

The sources said that Prince al-Faisal will discuss with his Russian counterpart the rebuilding of Iraq as well as developments in the occupied Palestinian territories and bilateral relations.

The sources which asked to be anonymous added that al-Faisal will discuss with Ivanov arrangements for the visit to be held by the Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz to Russia in a later time. In a statement on Tuesday evening, Prince Saud al-Faisal said that his visit to Russia falls in the course of consultations between the two countries. He stressed that numerous points will be debated during the visit, not only on issues of the region, but also bilateral relations and Russia's current and future role. He indicated the importance of Russia's role and that there is a higher political will in the two sides to strengthen these relations.

On the main points to be discussed during Russia's visit to ensure stability of the region, al-Faisal explained that "Iraq will be on top of the issues which will be discussed during the visit, noting that this is because of the two countries's joint interest to maintain stability in the region. The Saudi foreign minister was due to visit Russia by the beginning of February but the visit was postponed at an agreement by the two countries. Relations between Moscow and Riyadh witnessed during the past phase an improvement, according to political circles there is a joint desire to develop these relations forward.

Previous Stories:
  Al-Faisal's visit to Moscow postponed   (2/4/2003)
  Russia for expanding relations with Saudi Arabia   (10/17/2002)
  A message for King Fahd from Putin   (5/28/2002)

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