SAUDI ARABIA REGARDS MALAYSIA AS MODEL PROGRESSIVE MUSLIM COUNTRY

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 28 (Bernama) -- Saudi Arabia regards Malaysia as a model
progressive Muslim country that should be emulated by other developing
countries.

A Foreign Ministry statement on the two-day visit to Saudi Arabia by
its minister Anifah Aman that ended Sunday, said the Saudi government
expressed satisfaction with the current state of bilateral relations between the
two countries and was committed to strengthening further cooperation in other
areas.

On Dec 26, Anifah made courtesy calls on Saudi Arabia's Finance Minister
Ibrahim Abdul-Aziz al-Assaf, Foreign Affairs Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal
Abdulaziz and Second Deputy Prime Minister Prince Nayef Abdulaziz al-Saud.

At the meeting with Prince Saud, the Palestinian issue and the recent
political and security developments in the region that impacted Saudi Arabia and
the Muslim countries were the main topics discussed.

Prince Saud also underlined that the Saudi government would like to explore
possible areas with Malaysia and other countries in Asean in terms of food
production and export to the Kingdom.

"Both countries concurred that there was a need to expand joint-investment
in commodities to third countries and agreed on the need for better
collaboration between Malaysia and Saudi Arabia, particularly in areas that
could contribute to the betterment of the ummah.

"Both ministers also agreed that there was exigency to continuously explore,
collaborate and consult with each other on various issues of mutual concern in a
more systematic way that would enhance the excellent bilateral relations between
the two countries," the statement said.

It said that Anifah also conveyed the Malaysian government and people's
appreciation to the Saudi government for its hospitality and care of Malaysian
pilgrims.

"Prince Saud acknowledged that the Saudi government respected Malaysia as a
model nation, complimented Malaysian pilgrims and described them as well
organised and well behaved," it said.

At the meeting with Prince Nayef, Malaysia was urged to play an active role
in bridging the gap of differences and conflicts between Islamic countries and
the ummah in the effort to contribute towards stability in the region and unity
of the Islamic ummah.

Today, Anifah also had an audience with the Custodian of the Two Holy
Mosques, King Abdullah Abdulaziz al-Saud.

-- BERNAMA