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Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to Azerbaijan: â€œWe would like Nagorno Karabakh problem to be solved in a manner satisfying our Azerbaijani brothersâ€ - INTERVIEW

22 September 2010 10:23 (UTC +04:00)

Baku. Lachin Sultanova â€“ APA. Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to Azerbaijan Fahd bin Ali al-Dusari gives interview to APA on the occasion of the national holiday of the kingdom

- September 23 is marked as a national holiday in Saudi Arabia. Could you give information about the history of this holiday?

- This is the day when the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was founded. In 1932 King Abdulaziz unified Saudi Arabia. Before, Saudi Arabia had consisted of regions. The state was founded not only due to the Kingâ€™s efforts, but also as a result of the peopleâ€™s solidarity and support, the people and the King together founded a modern state. Before the unique state various tribes had governed in this territory. The separated tribal states has security problems, this problem was solved after the state was unified. International experts say security is ensured on the highest level in Saudi Arabia. They say there is both social and economic stability in the country. There is political unity in Saudi Arabia, after King Abdulaziz his children with the consent of the people of Saudi Arabia came to power.

The legislative body of the country is called Consultative Council. It is one of the most active parliaments in the world. The parliament controls all the decisions and laws, expresses opinion on the bills presented to the government. The priority of the domestic policy is to serve the people. This is the main function of the government. Our government tries to take all necessary measures to increase the welfare of the people.

As regards the foreign policy of Saudi Arabia, this is appreciated by the international community. Our foreign policy is in line with the decisions of the UN. Our country supports international justice and peace, cooperates, establishes partnership with all countries. Especially, we establish relations and cooperate with the Muslim countries.

- What spheres besides oil make the basis of the economy of Saudi Arabia?

- Oil resources are the main source of income of the country. Saudi Arabia is one of the countries exporting oil most. Our country is pursuing a balanced policy in the field of oil, ensuring the protection of the rights of both consumers and producers. Saudi Arabia is taking serious measures for the development of all spheres of economy. Petrochemical industry is the most developed sphere.

There is a big jump in the sphere of agriculture. Share of agriculture in GDP is 40 bln Saudi Arab riyal. It is a great event to achieve such jump in a country like Saudi Arabia having wild scenery.

In regard to infrastructure projects we are one of the advanced countries in construction of roads, airports.

Saudi Arabia has big trade turnover with several countries of the world. We realize trade exchange both with the East and the West.

Saudi Arabia reached all high standards in education sphere. The education is free of charge in the country. It covers all citizens. People who want to receive fee paid education study at fee-paying universities. Each year thousands of boys and girls are sent to foreign countries to study on account of the state.

Nowadays, there is big attention to modern technologies in Saudi Arabia. Around 500 technology faculties function at the universities. Last year, the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) was established in the country. Scientific-technical researches are conducted there. This university has big authority. The heads of the states and governments of Germany, Japan, Malaysia, Syria and etc countries attended its unveiling ceremony.

Healthcare of Saudi Arabia is one of the most developed healthcare systems in the world. People are served toll-free both at hospitals and healthcare centers, as well as at drug-stores. Medicines are free too. There are fee-paying hospitals and drug-stores as well. Saudi Arabia tries to use medical personnel of the entire world, many Azeri doctors work in our country.

Financial and banking services are at a high level in each part of the country, e-government project has been provided as well. It is possible to pay all utility rates via internet. I realize all payments of my house from Baku via internet. There is no need to go to public offices to get any agreement (for example, construction of a house).

Democracy in our country differs from the democracy perceived in the world. I would like to call it as an Islamic democracy. Each citizen may meet with the King if he/she wants. I think that there is not such democracy in other countries of the world.

Significant development has been achieved in the sphere of press as well. Freedom of speech has been provided for everyone. Naturally, we do not speak about those freedoms that can damage the country.

- Are the women represented in the government and parliament?

- There are adviser women and the post of minister responsible for education of woman is taken by a woman. All questions related to the women are resolved by the women.

- Hajj pilgrimage is closing in. Are there changes in this field? How many pilgrims will Saudi Arabia receive from Azerbaijan and other countries this year?

- Saudi Arabia organizes Hajj pilgrimage every year. The pilgrims are the guests of Allahâ€™s Home. They are provided with all conditions and services. Saudi Arabia doesnâ€™t put restriction on pilgrimage, there is a restriction related to the territory of holy places. It depends on how many people can Makkah receive. This year five or six thousand of people will go on a pilgrimage. It depends on how many places will the relevant organization of Azerbaijan ask from Saudi Arabia.

- How do you value bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and Saudi Arabia?

- There are high-level political relations between the countries. Both countries support each other and try to coordinate their positions within the framework of international forums. The economic relations are also in the good level, but we would like to make them better. The Saudi Fund for Development is funding a number of projects in Azerbaijan. Some economic agreements are expected to be signed in near future. These documents serve as a basis for the economic relations. There are rich and transparent development prospects between the countries in the fields of trade and investments.

- Is the energy cooperation at a necessary level?

- There are agreements between the top oil organizations of the countries. They are always coordinating their oil policies. Both countries are the members of the International Energy Forum. Representatives of both countries are working together within the framework of this forum. Saudi Arabia is very important oil country. Azerbaijan also has a great importance in this field.

- How do you value protection of Islamic values in Azerbaijan?

- I have visited most regions of Azerbaijan since my arrival and I have faced with Islamic values everywhere and it made me happy. There are mosques everywhere in Azerbaijan. People marry and serve other ceremonies according to the Islamic traditions. Family relations are also based on the Islamic values. Islamic architecture style is widely used in Azerbaijan.

- Headquarters of the Organization of the Islamic Conference is located in Jeddah. Does the organization begin reforms?

- The Organization of the Islamic Conference covers all Muslim countries and it is like an umbrella over them. If any Muslim country has a problem, all Muslim countries try to discuss it under this umbrella. OIC has several institutions like ISESCO, the Red Crescent Society, union of the ministers of culture and tourism and others. This organization s specialized in many fields. If we can revive the activity of these institutions we can achieve our goals. We have great expectations from this organization. We believe that OIC will contribute to the solution of problems of the Muslim countries.

- Saudi Arabia always supports Azerbaijan in the Nagorno Karabakh conflict and even it didnâ€™t establish diplomatic relations with Armenia for this reason. Does the Kingdom call on other Muslim countries to keep this position?

- Saudi Arabia has an unchangeable position on Nagorno Karabakh issue. Saudi Arabia supports all UN and OIC resolutions adopted on Nagorno Karabakh, which stressed the territorial integrity and inviolability of borders of Azerbaijan. I would like this problem to be solved in a manner satisfying our Azerbaijani brothers.