Former Saudi Envoy calls for improve people to people ties

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Islamabad/Pakistan; 16 Jan 2018-Former Ambassador of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) to Pakistan, Dr. Ali Awadh Asseri said that our people to people ties are unbreakable and ever deepening. He said it is about time to further strengthen the people to people contact between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.
Dr. Alsulami (PhD) Chairman, International Institute for Iranian Studies (RASANAH) while speaking on Tehran and Riyadh relationship said that both countries have no choice but to talk with each other for improved ties, as we cannot choose or change our neighbors.
They said this while speaking at a special event titled “Contours of Saudi Arabia Foreign Policy” organized by Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) here at Islamabad.
Dr. Ali Awadh Asseri, Former Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) to Pakistan said that the Kingdom’s relationships can be summarized in three words: it’s unique, profound and durable. He said our relationships with Pakistan have no limits and incomparable as Pakistan has a special place in the heart of our new leadership. He stressed the need for strengthening the relationships beyond official ties in terms of improving people to people contacts; enhance engagement with the private sector; and Academia. He said that today we are witnessing very dynamic and young leadership in KSA which has more love and affection for the people of Pakistan. He said KSA has always defended Pakistan’s national causes such as Kashmir at international forums and extended unflinching economic help in testing times like in 2005 earthquake. Currently, KSA again taken the lead in confronting Pakistan economic crisis by offering around $6bn generous support, including $3bn for the balance of payment crisis and $3bn in payment on oil import, he added. Furthermore, in his forthcoming visit, Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman will announce multi-billion investments which will cover oil refinery and petrochemical complex as well as renewable energy and mining sectors, he added.
Dr. Alsulami (PhD) Chairman, International Institute for Iranian Studies (RASANAH), Riyadh, KSA said that the Saudi-Iran relationship has witnessed many ups and downs since the 1979 revolution. The tensions between the two countries have become ever-more prominent after the Arab Spring. “Regardless the nature of the relationship between Saudi Arabia and Iran, we have no choice but to resolve our outstanding issues through working together and bridging trust deficit”, he said adding that if Tehran moves forward positively, the neighbouring countries surely respond positively for improved ties. He said that both Riyadh and Tehran have to build the trust, as both can do a lot of things together to bring stability and prosperity for its people and the region. KSA wanted to have better ties of peace and stability having least tensions with its neighbors and outer world, he added.
Dr. Abid Qaiyum Suleri, Executive Director SDPI said that if Pakistan wanted to play the mediator role for normalization of relations between Tehran and Riyadh then Pakistan should understand the nature of historic ties of both countries. He said that Pakistan can help in solving their outstanding political rifts. To gain the maximum benefits from the growing services economy of the Kingdom, Pakistan has to prepare its human resource, he added.

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