JOINT STATEMENT

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia held historic meetings with the President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan General, Parvez Musharraf,and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, during his State visit to Pakistan on 1-2 February 2006 corresponding to 2-3 Muharram 1427H.

The great warmth and cordiality accorded to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and his accompanying delegation, reflects the brotherly relations between the two countries and the deepest respect and esteem in which the government and people of Pakistan hold towards the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The two sides exchanged views and had in-depth comprehensive discussionsthatcovered a wide range of bilateral regional and international issues of mutual interest. The talks were held in an atmosphere of warmth and cordiality and weremarked by commonality of views and fraternal understanding which have been the hallmark of Pakistan – Saudi Arabia relations.

President Parvez Musharraf reiterated his deep gratitude for the prompt and continuous relief assistance that the Government of theKingdom of Saudi Arabia had provided to the earthquake victims through emergency relief assistance ordered by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques. Furthermore, President Parvez Musharraf expressed his gratitude for the Saudi pledge to assist in rebuilding the earthquake stricken areas through the Saudi Development Fund to finance housing, road, education and health projects.

Based on the common historic relations,friendship and mutual understanding rooted in the unity of Islamic faith which binds the government and people of the two countries, conferring upon these relations continuity , durability andpositive impact on regional peace and stability which must not be underestimated;

Realizing the interlinkagebetween the security and stability of the Arab region and South Asia, and their keeninterest to preserve such security and stability;

Committed to explorefuture prospects of the strategic relationsbetween the two countries, to ensure their continuoussolidarity in the service of their respective peoplesand the entire Muslim ummah;

Affirming the commitment of the two parties to undertake this historic responsibility, the two leaders decided on the following:

At the level of bilateral relations, the two leaders expressed satisfaction at the growing cooperation between the two countries and renewed their commitment to reinforce bilateral cooperation in trade and investments.

  • In this regard the two leaders welcomed the signing of fourbilateral agreements between the two countries including the Memorandum of Understanding on Political Consultations,Agreement on Avoidance of Double Taxation,Agreement on Cooperation in Science and Technology, and Cooperation Program in the field of Technical Education and Vocational Training. The two sides expressed their confidence that these agreements would further cement bilateral relations in the respected areas.
  • The two sidesagreed to exchange frequent visits at all levels to enhance mutual understanding and friendship, and deepened development of steadycooperation in the fields of economy, trade, education and investment.They agreed to expand and facilitate investment and joint ventures especially in energy and infrastructure. Both sides look forward to the up coming joint investment conference which will be organized by the Saudi – Pakistani Investment Company during the first half of this year to explore new areas of joint investments.
  • Both sides underlined the importance ofencouraging the private sector in their countries to explore the opportunities that each other’s potentials provide for mutual benefits and interests.
  • The two sidesagreed to convene frequent and regular meetings of the Bilateral Joint Commission, which will be responsiblefor following up the implementation of what has been agreed upon during this visit.

The two leaders emphasized that terrorism represents apalpable threat to all humanity, and that there is a need to intensify and coordinate bilateral, regional and international cooperation to combat terrorism and to eradicate its root causes. Moreover, they agreed to intensify cooperation to fight the menace of terrorism and other international crimes such as money laundering, drug trafficking and arms smuggling in a sustained and comprehensive manner. The two countries shall make continuous efforts for an early realization of the proposals to conclude a Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism which is before the UN General Assembly, and the setting up of an International Counter Terrorism Center as called for by the International Conference on Counter Terrorism held in Riyadh in February 2005 as proposed by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud.

In the field of political cooperation, both sides exchanged views onregional and international developments and affirmedtheir adherence to the principles of international legality and the importance of maintaining international peace and stability. The two sides agreed to work together towards resolving outstanding conflicts in their region, in accordance with the relevant principles.

  • President Musharraf briefed the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques on the on-going dialogue between Pakistan and India. The two leaders agreed on the necessity to reach early resolution of alloutstanding issues between Pakistan and India, especially the issue of Kashmir, through negotiations.
  • On the issue ofPalestine, both parties recognize the importance of the last Palestinian elections which came in response to the demands of important segments of the international community.Both sides urged the acceptance of the results of these elections, as they reflect the free will of the Palestinian people,and called for a wise and objective dealing with these results and avoid premature judgments and hasty conclusions. The two sides expressed their hope that Hamas will form a government which preserves thelegitimate rightsof the Palestinians,safeguard their interests and work for progress in the peace process.
  • Both sides agreed that durable peace in the Middle Eastdepends on an early resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. They emphasized the importance of the Beirut Peace Initiative and the Road Map. The complementaritybetween the two plans is seen by both sides as the best way to reinvigorate the peace process and pave the way for the establishment of anindependentand viablePalestinianState living in peace, security and prosperity within secure borders side by side with Israel.
  • With regard to the situation in Iraq, both sides expressed their hope that the evolving political process, would result in the establishment of a government capable of assuringIraq’s unity, territorial integrity and prosperitywithout foreign interventions.

The two leaders expressed satisfaction at the outcome of the Makkah Islamic Summit and reaffirmed their commitment to reform the OIC in order for it to become an effective forum to advance the collective interest of the Muslim World, and to cooperate in the implementation of the ten year plan which was adopted by the conference.

Islamabad, 2nd February 2006 / 3rd Muharram 1427H.

Mr. Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri
Foreign Minister
of The Islamic Republic of Pakistan / Saud Al-Faisal
Foreign Minister
of The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

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