ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Tuesday said a delegation of Pakistani businessmen would visit Saudi Arabia soon to explore new vistas for enhancing trade relations between the two countries.
He was talking to Prince Abdul Aziz bin Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz, Deputy Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia here at the PM House. They discussed a range of bilateral relations between the two countries.
The Prime Minister expressed satisfaction over the strong brotherly relations between the two countries and hoped that the Deputy Foreign Minister's visit to Pakistan would further bolster existing relations in the future.
Both the sides were of the view that the settlement leading to peace and stability in Afghanistan was vital for the region.
The Prime Minister highly appreciated the relief assistance extended by Saudi Arabia following the floods and earthquake. He lauded the appeal launched by Khadim-e-Harmaen-Sharifain to raise funds for the floods victims in Pakistan.
He emphasized the importance of convening of the Joint Ministerial meeting to work out a mechanism to give impetus to trade compatible with the exemplary relations between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.
The Prime Minister also underscored the importance of enhancing people-to-people contacts between the two countries which include exchange of visits of parliamentarians and officials to take their relationship to new heights.
Prince Abdul Aziz bin Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz expressed his concerns, on behalf of the King, the government and people of Saudi Arabia, on the tragedy in Siachen and offered all-out help to the Pakistani brothers in such difficult times.
The Deputy Foreign Minister conveyed best wishes of Khadim-e- Harmaen-Sharifain to the Prime Minister which the latter acknowledged with gratitude.
The Prime Minister and the Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister also held a one-to-meeting.
The meeting was attended by Minister for Defence Chaudhry Ahmad Mukhtar, Minister for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar, Minister for Interior Rehman Malik, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan, Minister for Petroleum Dr Asim Hussain, Senator Syeda Sughra Imam, the Foreign Secretary and other officials.
The Saudi Delegation included Dr. Abdul Aziz bin Ibrahim Al-Ghadeer, Saudi Ambassador, Faisal Hashmim, Assistant Deputy Minister for Economic Affairs and Daham Al-Daham, Minister Plenipotentiary.