Saudi Arabia calls for immediate end to all threats to maritime navigation
RIYADH — The Saudi Council of Ministers has called for an immediate cessation of all acts that threaten the safety of maritime navigation and undermine the security of vital waterways, particularly the Red Sea, the Bab Al-Mandab Strait, and the Strait of Hormuz. The Cabinet reiterated this position during its session chaired by Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh on Tuesday. In its review of regional and international developments, the Cabinet reaffirmed the Kingdom’s unwavering commitment to supporting all efforts aimed at strengthening regional and global security and stability, while confronting terrorism and dismantling its criminal militias. At the outset of the session, the Crown Prince briefed the Cabinet on the outcomes of his talks with King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain and Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa. He also briefed the Cabinet on the message he received from President Dr. Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone and on his phone calls with Prime Minister of Canada Mark Carney and Prime Minister of the Hellenic Republic Kyriakos Mitsotakis. The consultations and talks covered Saudi Arabia’s bilateral relations with their countries and ways to further strengthen them, and underscored the importance of continued coordination on regional and international issues of mutual interest.In a statement to the Saudi Press Agency following the session, Minister of Media Salman Al-Dossary said the Cabinet welcomed the signing of the General Agreement on the GCC Railway Project to connect the member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). The Cabinet also commended ongoing efforts to advance strategic cooperation and economic and development integration and to continue implementing King Salman’s vision for strengthening joint GCC action, achieving shared objectives, and meeting the aspirations of the peoples of the GCC countries.On domestic affairs, the Cabinet commended the address of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman at the opening of the sixth Hajj Conference and Exhibition. The address highlighted Saudi Arabia’s efforts to serve the Two Holy Mosques and pilgrims and its continued commitment to improving Hajj services by adopting the latest technologies and strengthening coordination among government agencies. It also highlighted the expansion of the Direct Hajj Program to serve 133 countries and the announcement of new agreements and partnerships to make pilgrims’ journeys easier from their departure from their home countries until their return.The Cabinet reviewed the overall performance of national sectors and systems in implementing strategies, programs, projects, and initiatives, and the progress achieved in development and prosperity indicators. It commended government entities on winning dozens of international and regional awards across various fields, including health, infrastructure, digital government, and technological innovation, reflecting the state’s support and its commitment to providing these and other entities with every enabler to sustain leadership and excellence and achieve the targets of Saudi Vision 2030.The Cabinet approved the Consumer Protection Law. It approved a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Saudi Ministry of Energy and the Korean Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources for cooperation in the field of petroleum and gas, and another draft MoU in the field of Islamic affairs between the Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance and the Islamic Community of Burundi, and authorized the minister of Islamic affairs, call and guidance or his deputy to sign it. The Council endorsed an agreement between Saudi Arabia and the Portuguese Republic on the mutual exemption from entry visas for holders of diplomatic and special passports.The Cabinet authorized the minister of communications and information technology or his deputy to discuss and sign with the Jordanian and Syrian sides a draft cooperation agreement in the field of communications and digital infrastructure between the Saudi Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, the Jordanian Ministry of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship, and the Syrian Ministry of Communications and Information Technology.The Council authorized the minister of human resources and social development or his deputy to discuss and sign with the Jordanian side a draft MoU for cooperation in developing workforce skills in the labor market between the Saudi Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development and the Accreditation and Quality Assurance Commission of Jordan, and authorized the minister of investment or his deputy to sign a draft agreement between Saudi Arabia and Bangladesh on the reciprocal promotion and protection of investments.The Cabinet also authorized the minister of transport and logistic services, chairman of the board of directors of the Transport General Authority or his deputy to discuss and sign with the Cypriot side a draft MoU between the Saudi Transport General Authority and the Cypriot Deputy Ministry of Shipping for cooperation in maritime affairs.It approved a MoU for cooperation in the field of railways between the Saudi Transport General Authority and the Turkish Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure. The Council authorized the president of the Human Rights Commission or a deputy to discuss and sign with the Digital Cooperation Organization a draft MoU between the Saudi Human Rights Commission and the Digital Cooperation Organization for technical cooperation.The Cabinet has decided that the state shall bear the customs duties stipulated in the Common Customs Law of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states and the value-added tax imposed on the import of a vehicle by a student pursuing studies abroad on a government scholarship, a government employee performing official duties abroad, or any adult family member accompanying either of them abroad. They shall also be exempt from the financial fee imposed on vehicle imports, in accordance with regulations established by the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority.