Saudi Cabinet Calls for Immediate Halt to Threats Against Maritime Navigation in Red Sea, Bab Al-Mandab and Hormuz
Riyadh, The Gulf Observer: The Saudi Cabinet 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 Council of Ministers 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 Saudi 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.
Crown Prince Briefs Saudi Cabinet on Diplomatic Engagements
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 informed ministers of the message he received from President Dr. Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone, as well as his phone calls with Prime Minister of Canada Mark Carney and Prime Minister of the Hellenic Republic Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
The consultations covered Saudi Arabia’s bilateral relations with these countries and ways to further strengthen them, and underscored the importance of continued coordination on regional and international issues of mutual interest.
GCC Railway Agreement Welcomed
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, which will connect the member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council. The Cabinet 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.
Hajj Services and National Performance
On domestic affairs, the Cabinet commended the address of the 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 through the adoption of the latest technologies and stronger coordination among government agencies. It also highlighted the expansion of the Direct Hajj Program to serve 133 countries, along with new agreements and partnerships designed to ease pilgrims’ journeys from departure in their home countries until their return.
The Cabinet reviewed the overall performance of national sectors and systems in implementing strategies, programmes, projects and initiatives, as well as progress in development and prosperity indicators. It commended government entities for winning dozens of international and regional awards in fields including health, infrastructure, digital government and technological innovation, reflecting the state’s support and its commitment to providing every enabler to sustain leadership and excellence and achieve the targets of Saudi Vision 2030.
Saudi Cabinet Approves Consumer Protection Law and International Agreements
The Saudi Cabinet approved the Consumer Protection Law. It also approved a memorandum of understanding between the Saudi Ministry of Energy and the Korean Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources for cooperation in petroleum and gas, and a draft MoU in the field of Islamic affairs between the Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance and the Islamic Community of Burundi, authorising the minister or his deputy to sign it.
The Council endorsed an agreement between Saudi Arabia and the Portuguese Republic on mutual exemption from entry visas for holders of diplomatic and special passports.
The Cabinet authorised the Minister of Communications and Information Technology or his deputy to discuss and sign a draft cooperation agreement on communications and digital infrastructure with the Jordanian Ministry of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship and the Syrian Ministry of Communications and Information Technology.
It further authorised the Minister of Human Resources and Social Development or his deputy to discuss and sign a draft MoU with Jordan’s Accreditation and Quality Assurance Commission on developing workforce skills, and authorised 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 Minister of Transport and Logistic Services, in his capacity as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Transport General Authority, or his deputy, was authorised to discuss and sign a draft MoU with the Cypriot Deputy Ministry of Shipping on maritime cooperation. The Cabinet also approved an MoU on railway cooperation between the Saudi Transport General Authority and the Turkish Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure.
In addition, the Council authorised the President of the Human Rights Commission or a deputy to discuss and sign a draft MoU for technical cooperation with the Digital Cooperation Organization.
Relief for Scholarship Students and Officials Abroad
The Cabinet decided that the state shall bear the customs duties stipulated in the Common Customs Law of the GCC states, as well as the value-added tax, 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. These individuals will also be exempt from the financial fee imposed on vehicle imports, in accordance with regulations set by the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority.
