FIRST VISIT TO SAUDI ARABIA
A delegation of 13 legislators from nine NATO countries visited Saudi Arabia from 31 March to 4 April and conducted high-level meetings with the Kingdom’s leaders. Led by Karl A. Lamers (Germany), Chairman of the Sub-Committee on NATO Partnerships (PCNP), the group of NATO Parliamentarians discussed a broad range of issues, including Saudi Arabia’s foreign and security perspectives and recent developments in the region.
During this first-ever visit of a NATO PA delegation to the country legislators were received by King Abdullah, Interior Minister, Prince Naif Bin Abdulaziz, and other senior members of the cabinet as well as the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, Ali Al Mohia, and other government officials. The delegation also met with members of the Majlis Ashoura and experts of the Institute for Diplomatic Studies.
The subjects discussed included the fight against terrorism, the Israeli-Palestinian peace process, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, NATO’s operations in Afghanistan, as well as security and stability in the Gulf. The meetings, conducted in a very open, frank and hospitable atmosphere, revealed agreement among participants on a broad range of topics, particularly the need for international co-operation to combat terrorism and the importance to keep stability in the Gulf region. Saudi interlocutors acknowledged NATO’s contributions to stability “out of area”, but held a more sceptical view as to whether NATO and the international community will be able to succeed in Afghanistan. "Saudi interlocutors underlined that the door is open for continuing dialogue with the Alliance and they are still considering joining NATO's Istanbul Cooperation Initiative (ICI)"
NATO parliamentarians and Saudi officials repeatedly stressed the importance of reconciliation among different religions. The NATO PA delegation praised the example provided by King Abdullah’s recent initiative calling for dialogue among Muslims, Christians, and Jews. Saudi officials repeatedly said that they welcomed continued dialogue and co-operation with the NATO Parliamentary Assembly.
BACKGROUND
THE NATO PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY, FOUNDED IN 1955 WITH A BRUSSELS-BASED SECRETARIAT, BRINGS TOGETHER 248 NATIONAL PARLIAMENTARIANS FROM THE 26 NATO COUNTRIES. IN ADDITION, 16 ASSOCIATE DELEGATIONS FROM CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE, UKRAINE AND RUSSIA; 5 MEDITERRANEAN ASSOCIATE DELEGATIONS: MOROCCO, ALGERIA, JORDAN, MAURITANIA AND ISRAEL AND 6 PARLIAMENTARY OBSERVER DELEGATIONS PARTICIPATE IN ASSEMBLY ACTIVITIES AND MEETINGS
************************************************************************************
Roberta Calorio
Rose-Roth Programmes and Media Relations Officer
NATO Parliamentary Assembly
International Secretariat
Place du Petit Sablon 3
B - 1000 Brussels
' +32 2 504 8154 (Direct Line)
' +32 2 513 2865 (Switchboard)
1 +32 2 514 1847
* rcalorio@nato-pa.int
Website: www.nato-pa.int
THE NATO PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY, FOUNDED IN 1955 WITH A BRUSSELS-BASED SECRETARIAT, BRINGS TOGETHER 248 NATIONAL PARLIAMENTARIANS FROM THE 26 NATO COUNTRIES. IN ADDITION, 16 ASSOCIATE DELEGATIONS FROM CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE, UKRAINE AND RUSSIA; 5 MEDITERRANEAN ASSOCIATE DELEGATIONS: MOROCCO, ALGERIA, JORDAN, MAURITANIA AND ISRAEL AND 6 PARLIAMENTARY OBSERVER DELEGATIONS PARTICIPATE IN ASSEMBLY ACTIVITIES AND MEETINGS
Roberta Calorio
Rose-Roth Programmes and Media Relations Officer
NATO Parliamentary Assembly
International Secretariat
Place du Petit Sablon 3
B - 1000 Brussels
' +32 2 504 8154 (Direct Line)
' +32 2 513 2865 (Switchboard)
1 +32 2 514 1847
* rcalorio@nato-pa.int
Website: www.nato-pa.int