King Abdullah chairs Cabinet session
March 14, 2011
The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz began the Cabinet session held at Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh today by thanking Allah Almighty for bestowing upon Saudi Arabia the blessings of security, stability, a close relationship between the people and leadership, and foreign relations based on mutual respect and non-interference in internal affairs. The King emphasized the Kingdom’s adherence to Islam and its commitment to maintaining the security, stability and integrity of Saudi society.
Then, King Abdullah briefed the Cabinet on his consultations over the past week with foreign officials, including telephone calls he received from Spanish King Juan Carlos and Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz.
The Cabinet reviewed a number of reports on regional and international developments, renewing the Kingdom’s stances on these issues. The ministers emphasized the statement issued by the Ministerial Council of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) during its 118th session, which stressed that GCC member states categorically reject any foreign interference in their affairs and will stand against anyone who attempts to inflame sectarian strife or to threaten national security and interests.
The Cabinet also expressed the Kingdom’s condolences and sympathies to the Emperor and people of Japan over the earthquake that struck their country, causing large numbers of deaths, casualties and missing people.
Turning to domestic issues, the Cabinet noted the scientific, cultural and economic activities held in the Kingdom during the past few days, including the opening of the 6th GCC Municipal Work Conference; the awarding of the 33rd King Faisal International Prize; the activities of the First Saudi Forum on Downstream Petrochemical and Mineral Industrial; and the convening of the Symposium on the Role of Arab Universities in Promoting Islamic Moderation among Arab Youth.
Addressing its agenda items, the Cabinet approved organizational arrangements for water plants; approved amending Article (13) of the Regulation of Members and Staff of the Bureau of Investigation and Prosecution to fall in tandem with Article (44) of the Judicial Law; approved the Kingdom’s accession to the amendment (Protocol) to the International Convention on the simplification and harmonization of Customs Procedures (Kyoto Convention), the text of the Convention (Attachment 1), the General Annex (Attachment 2) and the Special Annex (A); authorized the Governor of the Technical and Vocational Training Corporation (TVTC) to sign a draft memorandum of understanding in the field of technical and vocational training between the TVTC and the Ministry of Education and Culture of Finland; and approved a memorandum of understanding in the field of Peaceful Uses of Outer Space between the King Abdulaziz City for Sciences and Technology (KACST) and the Indian Space Research Organization.