(MENAFN - Arab News) Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah lauded the positive stance of South American countries toward Arab issues, especially the Palestinian cause.
"These stances will have a deep impact on the Palestinian people's effort to obtain their rights and establish their independent state," King Abdullah said in a speech at the Third Summit of the South American-Arab Countries (ASPA) in Lima. The speech was read out by Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Nizar Madani on behalf of the king. Madani led the Saudi delegation to the summit.
The king also stressed the importance of relations of Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries with South American states looking to enhancing these relations in all fields.
"The Arab countries are always looking forward to enhancing these relations in all fields to reach a better level of coordination and cooperation," the king said.
He also expressed his hope that the summit would achieve more agreement and progress in joint action, bilateral relations and coordination on the current issues on regional and international levels.
The king appreciated the outcomes of the two previous summits held in Qatar and Brazil, which resulted in joint cooperation and coordination between Arab and South American states in all fields.
King Abdullah reaffirmed the significance of cooperation to combat terrorism and extremism. "The common ground in our views of terrorism and extremism and the promotion of a culture of peace and dialogue between cultures and among peoples is the best proof of cooperation, understanding and coordination between the two sides," the king said.
He also highlighted many opportunities to expand trade exchange and investment between Arab and South American states in various fields, particularly in the field of integrated industries.
The king pointed out the depth of cultural relations between the two sides with the presence of a large Arab community in South America providing a suitable base to speed up the consolidation of the Arab relations with that continent in all fields.
The king said it is important to find out the best ways to raise economic performance, enhance joint trade and investment in the fields of agriculture, industry, commerce, science, education, culture, health, transport, energy, tourism and climate change issues, the Saudi Press Agency reported yesterday.
The king also thanked the participants and wished the summit success. The king also welcomed the participants to attend the fourth ASPA Summit to be held in the Kingdom.
