LOC17:20
14:20 GMT
(with photo)
BRUSSELS, June 18 (KUNA) -- Saudi Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Dr.
Nizar Madani visited the NATO headquarters in Brussels Monday and met with
Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen.
A NATO statement said discussions centred on the political dialogue and
practical cooperation activities, which exist in the context of the Istanbul
Cooperation Initiative (ICI).
"Saudi Arabia is a key player in the region and NATO would welcome the
opportunity to engage the Kingdom's governement as a partner in the Istanbul
Cooperation Initiative, ICI", said Rasmussen.
"ICI and the other partnership with countries in the region the
Mediterranean Dialogue, are complementary and yet distinct NATO partnership
frameworks," he noted.
"For NATO, the security of its partners in the Gulf is a key strategic
interest to the Alliance," he stressed.
Rasmussen extended NATO's condolences to the Saudi Minister for the recent
death of Crown Prince Nayef bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud.
"Prince Nayef was a strong statesman who served his country with dedication
and commitment, working to keep the Kingdom's national security for many
years. Prince Nayef will be remembered around the world for his steadfast
contribution to international peace and security, particularly in the fight
against terrorism", said the NATO chief.
During his visit, Dr. Madani also had meetings with the NATO Deputy
Secretary General, NATO Permanent Representatives and Alliance officials, who
provided him with an overview of NATO's outreach and cooperation programmes
with partner countries in the Mediterranean and in the Gulf region.
This latest visit follows the one by Prince Turki Mohammed Saud Al-Kabeer,
Saudi vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, in April 2009.
Four Gulf countries, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and UAE are members of the ICI
which was launched in Istanbul in 2004 to offer bilateral security cooperation
between countries in the Middle East and NATO. (end)
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