Qatari-Saudi Joint Coordination Council's Joint Communique'

Riyadh, March 02 (QNA) - The third Qatari-Saudi Joint Coordination Council (QSJCC) meeting which was held yesterday (Tuesday) in Riyadh under the co-chairmanship of HRH Saudi Crown Prince, Deputy Premier and Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and HH Qatar's Heir Apparent Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani issued a joint communique'.
The joint communique' said that the two sides exchanged views on a number of bilateral, regional and international issues of mutual concern, in addition to the latest developments in Arab arena.
They also reviewed and discussed during the meetings aspects of cooperation between the two countries in various fields.
In their opening speeches, HRH Saudi Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz and HH the Heir Apparent Sheikh Tamim stressed that the leaders of the two countries are keen on enhancing and consolidating ties of joint cooperation in all domains, and expressed their satisfaction over what has been achieved in term of constructive steps which contributed to growing bilateral coordination and cooperation.
On the diplomatic and political cooperation, the two sides praised the noticeable progress made towards enhancing cooperation and coordination in their foreign policies and their inter-cooperation in international forums.
Regarding military cooperation, the communique' said that their cooperation is proceeding according to the agreed GCC policy, which is overseen by the GCC General Secretariat for military affairs. The military cooperation is enhanced by joint GCC cooperation agreements signed in the Kingdom of Bahrain on 20 December 2000, and by exchange of information and visits, training courses and experiences in the specialized areas, in addition to working continuously to develop bilateral military cooperation.
On security cooperation, the two sides underlined the importance of consolidating security cooperation between security bodies in both countries and agreed that specialists from the interior ministries of the two countries review draft agreements submitted by Saudi side in the fields of fighting crimes and extradition, among others.
They also welcomed the signing of a cooperation agreement in the field of civil defense, and a cooperation agreement on combating illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs.
Regarding economic and financial cooperation, the two sides reviewed aspects of financial and economic cooperation and investment between the two countries as well as the steps taken to boost this cooperation, and agreed on the importance of continuing close co-ordination between the authorities concerned in both countries in economic, financial, tax and Zakat fields and the preparation of governmental budgets.
The two sides pointed to the importance of strengthening cooperation between the zakat and income department in Saudi Arabia and public revenue and taxes department in Qatar, and the significance of the exchange of related-studies and researches. They also agreed to activate cooperation in public budget by exchanging visits and expertise.
In the commercial and industrial field, the two sides expressed satisfaction with the level of trade exchange between the two countries, and recommend to support it in appropriate ways through establishing trade fairs and seminars and holding meetings between businessmen in both countries in the context of Saudi-Qatari Business Council, and work to overcome the difficulties they may faced in order to provide an enabling environment to boost economic and trade ties.
The Qatari side provided a draft of Memorandum of Understanding in the field of specifications between the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization and Qatar's Environment Ministry. The Saudi side promised to study and communicate with the Ministry of Environment in the State of Qatar in order to reach a draft agrement.
In the field of culture and media, both sides welcomed the depth of cooperation between the two countries, according to a memo of understanding for cultural and media cooperation, in which the two sides expressed their satisfaction with the progress made in this area and reviewed the aspects of cooperation between the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) and Qatar News Agency.
In the environmental field, the two sides welcomed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding for cooperation in the field of environmental protection and conservation and another Memorandum of Understanding for cooperation in the field of meteorology between the two governments.
In the field of Higher Education and Scientific Research, the Qatari side expressed thanks and appreciation for the issuance of the approval of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz to allocate variety scholarships for Qatari students in the Saudi universities.
In the field of Municipal Affairs and Urban Planning, the two sides agreed on the importance of continuing coordination and consultation in the area of municipal affairs and urban planning in order to achieve the common interest of both countries.
In transport, roads and infrastructure field, the two sides agreed on the importance of enhancing cooperation and to continue coordination and consultation in these areas between the two countries, as well as exchanging visits and experiences in the field of roads and infrastructure.
At the end of the meeting the Council expressed thanks and gratitude to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister and President of the Saudi side in the Saudi-Qatari Coordinating Council Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz, HH the Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani and HH the Heir Apparent Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, who is also the Chairman of the Qatari side in the Saudi-Qatari Coordinating Council, for the great support for the Council's efforts to overcome all obstacles, which had a significant impact on the success of its work.
At the conclusion of his visit, HH the Heir Apparent Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani expressed his thanks and appreciation to Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz and Prince Nayef bin Abdulaziz for the warm and generous hospitality that he and the accompanying delegation received during their stay in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
HH the Heir Apparent also welcomed Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz, Prince Nayef bin Abdul Aziz and the members of the Saudi side in the Council to visit Doha next year for the 4th Session of the Council.