The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) is one of the “most ambitious” modern connectivity initiatives, says the Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to Cyprus, Fawaz bin Abdulrahman Alshubaili, while underlining that Cyprus, due to its important geographical location, can connect the Middle East and Europe and become a regional hub. At the same time, he points to tension and conflict in the region, which, he says, raises questions as to how the necessary infrastructure will be shielded.
In an interview with the Cyprus News Agency (CNA) to Antonios Gkildakis, he says Trump’s plan for Gaza is a significant step paving the way for a comprehensive and just solution, and notes that Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides’ 6-point proposal can importantly contribute to the implementation of the next phase of the Agreement reached at the Summit in Sharm El Sheikh.
Asked about the agreement, reached last October, Ambassador Alshubaili expresses hope that the move will lead to urgent action to alleviate the humanitarian suffering of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, along with “a complete Israeli withdrawal, the restoration of security and stability, and the initiation of practical steps to achieve a just and comprehensive peace based on the two-state solution.”
This, he says, “includes the establishment of an independent Palestinian state within the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, in accordance with relevant UN resolutions, the Arab Peace Initiative, and the New York Declaration, which outlines a peaceful resolution to the Palestinian question and the implementation of the two-state solution.”
Moreover, he notes that President Christodoulides’ 6-point proposal “can importantly contribute to the implementation of the next phase of the Agreement reached at the Summit in Sharm El Sheikh.”
The Saudi Ambassador further says that his country has a very clear position when it comes to relations with Israel. “The normalization of relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel cannot happen before the establishment of a Palestinian state. A Palestinian state is a prerequisite for regional integration” he notes, adding that the Kingdom’s position remains firm on this issue “and it is based on a strong conviction of the Palestinian people’s right to exist in dignity and freedom.”
He says moreover, that the realisation of the Palestinian state and the two-state solution will lead to regional integration based on security, stability and shared prosperity for all.
Asked to comment on efforts to boost cooperation, the Ambassador notes that the signing of the general agreement between the Kingdom and the Republic of Cyprus on the sidelines of the high-level week of the General Assembly in New York, earlier this year, reflects the will and aspirations of the leadership of the two countries to enhance bilateral cooperation.
He calls it “another step towards strengthening the partnership and collaboration between the two countries in all fields”, through a joint governmental relevant committee, which will discuss many aspects and areas of cooperation in the fields of economic activity, investment, trade, science and education.
Encouraging the exchange of knowledge and technical expertise for specific cooperation programs through mutual visits between researchers and technicians from both countries and participation in scientific seminars and conferences will certainly strengthen ties between people, he further notes.
According to the Ambassador, enhancing trade will also open new horizons of collaboration. “The signing of an MoU between Saudi Exim Bank and Bank of Cyprus will increase mutual cooperation” he adds, while noting that investment projects are another way to boost cooperation between the two peoples.
As for tourism, he says it is definitely “the best way for people-to-people connection” and this will be achieved by implementing the Memorandum of Understanding in the Tourism Sector, which was recently signed in Riyadh.
Expanding on the potential of further cooperation, Ambassador Alshubaili says that both countries possess economic assets and natural resources, as well as an important geographical location. “Therefore, it is important to take advantage of these assets to achieve the goals of both countries to increase the volume of trade exchange and enhance investment through national companies in both countries” he adds.
As for IMEC, he says that it is “one of the most ambitious modern connectivity initiatives.” “There is no doubt that the Republic of Cyprus has an important geographical location that can connect Middle East and Europe, and could become a regional hub for managing administrative and operational issues, building on its experience in this field and its membership of the EU. But the broader Middle East region remaining an area of high tension and conflict, raises questions as to whether and how the necessary infrastructure will be shielded” he adds.
Asked on efforts for a Cyprus settlement, the Ambassador says he hopes negotiations to restart soon. “The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has a principled position on the Cyprus issue, based on the importance of resolving disputes through peaceful means and dialogue in accordance with the rules of the international law and relevant UN Security Council resolutions” he says.
“We wish that the negotiations for the Cyprus problem restart as soon as possible to achieve a sustainable solution that secures stability and prosperity for the people of Cyprus” the Saudi Ambassador concludes.
Source: CNA