King Salman’s visit to Qatar will strengthen relations: Saudi envoy

The visit of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud of Saudi Arabia to Qatar, strengthens the bonds of co-operation between the two countries, especially as it comes at a crucial stage during which the region is facing several challenges, the ambassador of Saudi Arabia to Qatar Abdullah bin Abdulaziz al-Aifan said. Al-Aifan said that the close ties between the two countries, and the wisdom of both Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdul Aziz and HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani will ensure the success of the visit. Speaking to QNA, ambassador al-Aifan said: “I am confident that the talks which will be held, will also provide an important springboard to support the relentless effort to establish a stronger joint action, within the framework of the Gulf Co-operation Council, to tackle the challenges facing the region.” He stressed the depth of the relations between the two countries, saying these ties are old and well-established, built on strong pillars. He explained that the two countries’ relations have always enjoyed the attention of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud. These relations have witnessed a strong boost through his visit (when he was the crown prince) to Qatar heading the Saudi delegation to the meetings of the Saudi-Qatar Co-ordination Council, in which a number of issues and topics were discussed and several agreements were signed, he added. Ambassador al-Aifan noted that, during the past few years, high-level visits were exchanged between the two countries to promote bilateral relations and co-ordinate positions on regional and international efforts pointing to the prominence of the several visits of HH the Emir to Saudi Arabia. In addition to that, and in the context of promoting co-operation and co-ordination in all fields, several visits to Qatar were conducted by the Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Mohamed bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz and Deputy Crown Prince, Second Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Mohamed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz. The Saudi ambassador to Qatar pointed out that the relations between Saudi Arabia and Qatar have reached a distinct stage in all areas and at all levels. Economic relations enjoy great support in both government and private sectors, where work is continuing, through the meetings of the Saudi-Qatari Business Council, for further co-operation between businessmen in the two countries and to overcome any obstacles they may encounter. He pointed that the Qatari-Saudi trade volume reached about SAR7bn in 2015, adding that 315 companies – fully owned by Saudis – and 303 joint companies are working in Qatar with a total capital of SAR1.252bn. The ambassador also pointed out the common positions of the two countries at the political level,  referring to the joint action in the Saudi-led Coalition for Supporting Legitimacy in Yemen, co-ordination of positions on the Syrian issue and the efforts to achieve stability in oil markets. Ambassador al-Aifan expressed optimism about the future of the Saudi-Qatari relations, stressing that these distinguished ties are growing in all areas, in light of the great attention of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud and his brother, HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani.