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Friday 10 January 2014 - 07:58

Al Feisal’s trip to Pakistan: Riyadh seeks Islamabad’s help on many issues

Story Code : 339561
Al Feisal’s trip to Pakistan: Riyadh seeks Islamabad’s help on many issues
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al Faisal was meeting with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s Adviser on Foreign Affairs and National Security Sartaj Aziz on Tuesday.

The two were discussing bilateral ties, challenges confronting the Muslim world as well as the situation in Afghanistan, Iran and Syria.

During the talks, Aziz said Iran and Saudi Arabia were two crucial states in the Muslim world and that Pakistan considered the kingdom a brotherly country.

Speaking to the premier's adviser, Faisal said Saudi Arabia accorded extraordinary significance to its ties with Pakistan.

Faisal is the highest ranking Saudi official to have visited Pakistan in years. His trip marks reinvigoration of the bilateral relationship that remained lukewarm during the Pakistan Peoples Party-led government.
 
A Pakistani newspaper noted Wednesday that Saudi Arabia wants Islamabad’s assistance in its efforts to improve its ties with Tehran.
 
The Saudi foreign minister also met Pakistan’s President Mamnoon Hussain and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif during his two-day stay in Islamabad.

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al Faisal laid to rest speculations on Tuesday that he was in Pakistan to secure a safe exit for former military ruler General Pervez Musharraf, who is facing a treason trial for abrogating the constitution.

Appearing at a joint news conference with Pakistan Prime Minister’s Adviser on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz in Islamabad, the seasoned Saudi diplomat Saud Al Faisal laughed off a question about a possible deal being brokered by his country. 

“Absolutely not … I’ve just talked about the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries, especially friendly countries,” he said when asked if he was ‘on a mission’ to bail Musharraf out of his predicament.

“I won’t call it a ‘mission’. I’ll call it a visit to a brotherly and friendly country. This visit has been a long time now in the making,” he added, dismissing reports linking his trip to possible developments in Musharraf’s trial.
 
His visit had earlier triggered speculations that Riyadh was making back-channel efforts to secure Musharraf’ safe passage out of Pakistan. The Saudis have played an instrumental role in securing a safe exit for Nawaz Sharif when his government was toppled by then-army chief Pervez Musharraf in a bloodless coup.
 
The Saudi foreign minister said he was in Pakistan to deliver a message of ‘friendship and cooperation’ from King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz.

The Saudi foreign minister told reporters that Afghanistan was coming to a ‘turning point’ in the wake of US-led NATO forces’ withdrawal from the war-torn country. He said both Pakistan and Saudi Arabia urged the Afghan people to set aside their petty differences and think about the larger interest of the country.

He added both countries were keen to prevent elements from exploiting any potential vacuum. He insisted efforts should be made to prevent Afghanistan from slipping into civil war.

“Saudi Arabia is upset over the lack of action from Western powers against President Bashar al Assad’s regime,” noted the he Saudi foreign minister,  all parties must sit together to put in place a consensus government in Syria. Bashar al Assad has no right to kill people,” he added.
 
Recently, US Foreign Policy magazine claimed that Riyadh after having lost faith in President Obama’s ability to oust Assad would be looking to other alternative, essentially using Pakistan to train more militants.

In response to a question, Sartaj Aziz explained the two countries would discuss defence cooperation soon but refused to comment on the report.

“The visit of Prince Saud al Faisal has a special significance in our bilateral relations,” Aziz said in his opening remarks at the news conference. He declared the two countries focused on further cooperation in investment, trade, energy and export of manpower from Pakistan.

According to a Pakistan’s Foreign Office statement, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif informed the Saudi foreign minister about his government’s plans to enhance growth, create jobs and reduce poverty to create a brighter future for the people of Pakistan.

He encouraged Saudi businessmen to benefit from the conducive business environment in Pakistan. “Saudi Arabia’s positive contribution to support Pakistan’s endeavour for economic development is deeply appreciated. There is a mutual desire to further intensify economic interaction in the years ahead.”

It was agreed that the Joint Economic Council of Pakistan and Saudi Arabia would meet within the next two months to further enhance bilateral cooperation in various fields.
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