Statements after first part of talks between HRH Prince Saud Al-Faisal, Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia, and His Excellency Bernard R. Ben, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Netherlands, Tuesday 15 Muharram 1427H- 14 February 2006, MOFA, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia:
I am holding meetings with His Excellency the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Netherlands to examine several issues. In fact, the relationbetween the two countries is characterized with cordiality, truthfulness and frankness in interaction. So, I am always happy to meet His Excellency because this is a reflection of the nature of the relations between the two countries. We have talked in length about the Arab-European relations. We expressed our hope for measures to be taken to the cartoon drawings problem in a way that prevent recurrence in the future and put an end to this issue so as not to disturb the good relation that was, and is and will be present and good Insha’Allah between European countries and the Arab world. With regard to other issues, we discussed the Middle East and the recent elections in Palestine. We are looking forward to other significant elections in Israel; what the outcome here and there will be. What the interrelations between these two Palestinian and Israeli elections will be. We will resume our talks again, and we may meet your afterwards. Once again, I welcome His Excellency the Minister, and hope for continuity of such meetings for the best interests of the two peoples and countries.
Foreign Minister of Netherlands:
I would like to thank you Your Royal Highness for the good reception and generous hospitality we received once more in Saudi Arabia. I explained to His Highness the Minister, and made very constructive talks abut the drawings issue. I briefed to the Minister about what I told Mr. Javier Solana when he was here. Now, we are contacting the Danish government to issue a statement to rest this problem that disturbs the relations with Islamic world. We also discussed the Palestinian issue and he peace process in the Middle East, and how to approach this problem. It is clear that Fatah has lost and Hamas may change its behavior. I also explained that results of the election in Israel will let us see clearer: what the situation will be between the Palestinian Authority and the new Israeli government. During the course of this transitional period we will continue to support the Palestinian Authority. If the situation does don change, we will see what will happen. We talked about Iran and we conclude that it is necessary to know and analyze Iran’s position on production of nuclear weapons. After this meeting we will continue our talks here, and we will see what the Iranian side will say.
Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia: We will answer your questions when we are done with our meetings.